Cool Tidbit - Halifax Regional Municipality

Dear HRM Residents, 

Welcome to the second edition of 

the Citizen’s Guide. This convenient 

booklet is designed as an easy-to-read 

reference which will assist you in navigating 

the many resources available 

to residents of the Halifax Regional 

Municipality. 

Within these pages, you will find helpful 

details about such things as who to 

contact if you have a question about 

a particular municipal service; getting 

more involved in your community; 

snow clearing; emergency services; 

public transit; and a whole lot more. 

The Guide also contains some very 

useful charts showing garbage pickup 

schedules for your district as well as 

details about recycling and composting. 

There’s something for everyone in this 

information-rich publication, even a 

chart showing you where your taxes 

are spent! 

I encourage you to keep it handy. 

Respectfully, I remain 

Peter Kelly 

Mayor 

Mayor’s Office 

Phone: (902) 490-4010 

E:mail: kellyp@halifax.ca 

2 

skate 

A Winter Celebration 

on Big Ice 

Have some input into the 

next phase of developments 

at the oval? Go to 

www.halifa.ca/surveys. 

December 2011 - March 2012 

See back cover for details

Table of Contents 

Regional Council.......................................................................................... 4 

Accessibility........................................................................................... 

Archives................................................................................................ 

Arts and Culture.................................................................................... 

Building Permits and Inspections............................................................ 

By-laws.................................................................................................. 

Calendar of Events................................................................................ 

Contacting HRM.................................................................................... 

Whose Job is it?.............................................................................. 

Emergency Measures............................................................................. 

Fire Services and Prevention................................................................... 

Garbage, Recycling and Composting .................................................... 

Householders Guide to Waste Management 

Green Cart & Garbage Collection Schedule 

Bi-weekly Recyclables Collection Schedule 

Getting Involved.................................................................................... 

HRMbyDesign........................................................................................ 

Library................................................................................................... 

Major Projects....................................................................................... 

Newcomers........................................................................................... 

Online Services...................................................................................... 

Police Services....................................................................................... 

Public Transit......................................................................................... 

Recreation............................................................................................. 

Snow Clearing....................................................................................... 

Streets, Roads and Sidewalks................................................................. 

Sustainable Transportation Options........................................................ 

Taxes..................................................................................................... 

Traffic and Crosswalk Safety.................................................................. 

Water.................................................................................................... 

Working for HRM.................................................................................. 

3

Regional Council 

Within the Halifax Regional 

Municipality there are currently 

23 elected officials, representing a 

wide range of communities - from 

Ecum Secum to Hubbards. These 

elected officials are an essential 

democratic link between 

the Municipality’s 

residents and 

local government. 

HRM Councillors work to ensure the 

Municipality provides a quality of 

life that is sustainable, healthy and 

vibrant - one that considers and supports 

the welfare of its residents. Your 

Councillor is committed to representing 

the concerns and issues of your 

district and the needs of the broader 

community of HRM as a whole. 

Halifax Regional Council meets on 

Tuesdays at Halifax City Hall, Council 

Chambers, 3rd Floor, 1841, Argyle 

Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Council 

sessions are aired live on haligonia.ca 

and at 6pm on EastLink TV (channel 

10). 

Who is my Councillor? 

Not sure which district you live in 

- visit http://eservices.halifax.ca/districtLookup. 

Here you can enter your 

street address to find your Councillor’s 

name and access a map of your 

district. 

4

Your elected representatives 

www.halifax.ca/districts 

Contacting Your Councillor 

You can contact any of the Halifax 

Regional Municipality Councillors 

through the Councillors’ Support 

Office, or online through their 

www.halifax.ca web page. 

Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Phone: (902) 490-4050 

Mail: P.O. Box 1749 

Halifax, N.S. B3J 3A5 

Fax: (902)490-4122 

District 1 - Steve Streatch 

District Office: (902)384-2109 

Cell: (902) 497-2995 

Fax: (902) 384-3900 

Email: streats@halifax.ca 

District 2 - Barry Dalrymple 

Cell: (902) 222-0740 

Email: barry.dalrymple@halifax.ca 

District 3 - David Hendsbee 

Cell: (902) 483-0705 

Email: david.hendsbee@halifax.ca 

District 4 - Lorelei Nicoll 

Cell: (902) 478-2705 

Email: lorelei.nicoll@halifax.ca 

District 5 - Gloria McCluskey 

Cell: (902) 476-1667 

Email: mcclusg@halifax.ca 

District 6 - Darren Fisher 

Cell: (902) 497-7166 

Email: darren.fisher@halifax.ca 

District 7 - Bill Karsten 

Cell: (902) 476-1855 

Email: karsteb@halifax.ca 

District 8 - Jackie Barkhouse 

Cell: (902) 476-5601 

Email: barkhoj@halifax.ca 

District 9 - Jim Smith 

Cell: (902) 229-8887 

Email: jim.smith@halifax.ca 

District 10 - Mary Wile 

Cell: (902) 476-2048 

Email: wilema@halifax.ca 

5

District 11 - Jerry Blumenthal 

Cell: (902) 237-0720 

Email: jerry.blumenthal@halifax.ca 

District 12 - Dawn Sloane 

Cell: (902) 488-4812 

Email: sloaned@halifax.ca 

District 13 - Sue Uteck 

Cell: (902) 221-7651 

Email: utecks@halifax.ca 

District 14 - Jennifer Watts 

Cell: (902) 497-4748 

Email: jennifer.watts@halifax.ca 

District 15 - Russell Walker 

Cell: (902) 497-7215 

Email: walkerr@halifax.ca 

District 16 - Debbie Hum 

Cell: (902) 476-7212 

Email: humd@halifax.ca 

District 18 - Stephen Adams 

Cell: (902) 497-8818 

Email: adamss@halifax.ca 

District 19 - Brad Johns 

Cell: (902) 476-1234 

Email: brad.johns@halifax.ca 

District 20 - Bob Harvey 

Cell: (902) 488-4820 

Email: harveyb@halifax.ca 

District 21 - Tim Outhit 

Cell: (902) 229-6385 

Email: outhitt@halifax.ca 

District 22 - Reg Rankin 

Cell: (902) 499-3744 

Email: rankinr@halifax.ca 

District 23 - Peter Lund 

Cell: (902) 497-7508 

Email: peter.lund@halifax.ca 

District 17 - Linda Mosher 

Cell: (902) 476-4117 

Email: linda.mosher@halifax.ca 

6

Municipal Elections 

www.halifax.ca/election 

Municipal Elections for Mayor and Councillors are held every four (4) 

years. The next Municipal Election in HRM will be held on Saturday 

October 20, 2012. Residents of HRM will be voting for the Mayor and 

16 district councillors as well as representatives to the Halifax Regional 

School Board. 

To vote: 

• You must be at least 18 years old 

on election day 

• You must have lived in HRM for at 

least 3 months prior to election day 

• You must be a Canadian citizen 

To be a candidate: 

• You must be at least 18 years old 

on election day 

• You must have lived in HRM for at 

least 6 months prior to election day 

• You must register as a candidate 

and meet the requirements of 

registration 

• You must be a Canadian citizen 

How to Vote: 

To ensure residents of HRM have 

access and options to vote, HRM will 

be using a number of voting methods 

during advanced polls. These include 

• electronic voting (via the web), 

• telephone voting and 

• in person at the polls using paper 

ballots. 

Information on the election can be 

found on the HRM web site at: 


7

Accessibility 

Serving the Needs of All Citizens 

Here are some of the services 

HRM provides for those requiring 

accessible services: 

Metro Transit Services 

• Over 60% of fixed-routes are 

designated accessible routes 

using low floor buses (ALF) 

• ALF buses will pick up or drop off 

customers in wheelchairs regardless 

of the route, as long as the 

accessible ramp can be deployed 

to load or unload the customer 

without damage resulting to the 

ramp 

• Personal Care Attendants travel 

for free with proper ID on fixedroute 

transit service with mobilityimpaired 

customers 

• Request Stop program available to 

mobility-impaired customers all day 

• Access-A-Bus is a shared ride, 

door-to-door transit service for 

persons who are unable to use the 

fixed-route system due to physical 

or cognitive disabilities and are 

declared eligible through a 

registration process 

For more information: www.halifax. 

ca/metrotransit or 490-4000. Also see 

page 52. 

Trail System 

HRM has several trails confirmed as 

wheelchair accessible. Find them in 

our Get Out Check It Out trails booklet 

at www.halifax.ca/trails, or pick up 

a copy at our Recreation Centres or 

Library branches. 

Recreation Facilities 

Recreation staff will meet with family 

and individuals prior to the start of a 

program to identify the appropriate 

program options and supports 

required to assist a participant with 

special needs. See our recreation 

catalogue at www.halifax.ca/rec. 

Our Website Speaks to 

You: BrowseAloud 

We’ve enabled 

www.halifax.ca with 

speech capabilities. By 

downloading and installing 

the free BrowseAloud 

software, you can simply point at text 

and it will be read aloud to you. 

Connecting with City Hall 

Regional Council meetings are 

accessible through broadcasts on 

Eastlink cable channel 10 and live 

streaming webcast on 

www.haligonia.ca. Council has 

interpreters for the hearing impaired 

for each Council meeting broadcast. 

Committees 

The following committees review 

issues surrounding accessibility: 

• Advisory Committee for Persons 

with Disabilities 

www.halifax.ca/boardscom/ 

abilcom/spdcom.html 

• Accessible Transportation 

Advisory Committee 

www.halifax.ca/boardscom/atac 

8

Access & Privacy 

at HRM 

www.halifax.ca/irm 

HRM is committed to protecting 

the privacy of the personal information 

it holds and to being open 

and accountable to its residents. 

HRM is also required to follow the 

provisions of the Municipal Government 

Act related to freedom of 

information and protection of privacy, 

otherwise known as FOIPOP or access 

and privacy. An office dedicated to 

access and privacy has been established 

within HRM and part of its 

mandate is to receive and respond to 

access and privacy requests. 

How do I File a Request for 

Information? 

You have the right to request any record 

that is in the custody or control 

of the municipality. Start by making 

an informal request to the appropriate 

department within HRM that 

the request relates to. If you are told 

that the information is not routinely 

available, then you can file an access 

(FOIPOP) request. An access request 

can be filed by completing Form #1, 

online at: www.halifax.ca/irm/Forms. 

html or by submitting a request in 

writing, clearly identifying that you 

are filing an access request. 

How Do I File a Privacy Request? 

You have the right to access any 

personal information that HRM has 

about you, to ask for corrections if 

needed and to know what controls 

HRM has in place on its collection, 

use or disclosure. To file a privacy 

request, please contact the Access 

& Privacy Office at: (902)-490-4390 

or by e-mail at: accessandprivacy@ 

halifax.ca 

If the privacy or access request is 

for records held by Halifax Regional 

Police (HRP) or Halifax Water (HW), 

please contact them directly. 

Requests to Halifax Regional Police 

can be made at (902) 490-5294. 

Requests to Halifax Water can be 

made at (902) 490-6207. 

For any additional information: 

Visit: halifax.ca/irm/index.html 

Call: 902-490-4390 or 902-490- 

4234 

E-mail: accessandprivacy@halifax.ca 

9

Archives 

www.halifax.ca/archives 

archives@halifax.ca 

902-490-4643 

81 Ilsley Ave, Unit 11 

Burnside Industrial Park, Dartmouth 

Drop-in Reference Hours* 

Tuesday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Wednesday: 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. 

Thursday: 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. 

*Contact us for an appointment 

outside of these hours. 

Did your ancestor serve on the 

Halifax Police Department? Are 

you looking for an architectural 

plan of your heritage home? Do 

you have a school project on your 

neighbourhood’s development? 

Would some historical photos be 

just right to illustrate a 

presentation or make a lovely gift? 

HRM Archives preserves municipal 

documents, maps, plans, photos, and 

audio-visual recordings, from the 1820s 

to the 2000s, and makes them accessible 

for your research and enjoyment. 

Municipal Records 

Highlights 

(from Town of Bedford, Town/City of 

Dartmouth, City of Halifax, County of 

Halifax): 

• Halifax City Engineer’s Office 

architectural plans and maps, 

1802-1990 

• Police and Fire Department 

records, 1851-1998 

• Photographs of municipal officials 

and events 

• Property Assessment records, 

1840-1976 

10 

Community Records 

Highlights: 

• Michael Zatzman records from the 

construction of Alderney Gate, 

1988-1992 

• John Lloyd records from his 

tenures as City of Halifax mayor, 

1943-1971 

• Halifax Advisory Committee on 

Human Rights, 1954-2004, from 

their participation in the 

relocation of Africville residents 

• Photographs of Halifax area 

events and people, 1860-2000 

• Lou Collins records from his position 

as City Historian and participation in 

local heritage activities and 

organizations, 1879-2006 

Do you have historical records that 

should be preserved and shared at 

the Municipal Archives? 

Contribute to our region’s documentary 

heritage by donating your organization/ 

business/family records. Speak with an 

archivist to see if your records fit the 

Archives’ acquisition mandate. Email us 

at archives@halifax.ca

Arts & Culture 

www.halifax.ca/culturalaffairs 

Culture defines 

people, neighbourhoods & 

communities. It can be found in our 

artistic and creative expressions, 

traditions, social viewpoints and local 

aspirations. It is our identity, history, 

a sense of place and belonging. 

Here are a few ways HRM is 

working with community to celebrate 

and support HRM’s culture: 

Programming 

Community Art: This program 

provides opportunities for community 

to work collaboratively with an artist 

in the creation of neighbourhood 

beautification projects. 

Open Projects: This program provides 

opportunities for artists and 

members of the general public with 

a creative interest to submit public 

realm arts proposals that reimagine, 

remake and reinvent civic spaces. 

Residency Initiative: This program 

provides opportunities for artists 

and/or arts organizations to engage 

residents and community in creative 

practices. 

Nocturne: Art at Night: 

October 13, 2012 

Each year HRM sponsors Nocturne, 

a volunteer-driven, HRM-wide free 

arts festival. A program, map, bus 

and walking tours guide residents 

to exhibitions in galleries and public 

spaces throughout the city. HRM 

supports artists in the development 

and exhibition of public art projects, 

provides dedicated free transit to and 

from events, and coordinates the use 

of public spaces for arts use. 

www.nocturnehalifax.ca 

Opportunities 

For further information on any of 

the above programming and other 

cultural related opportunities, please 

contact 490-5739. Learn more at: 

www.halifax.ca/culturalaffairs 

11

Building Permits & 

Inspections 

www.halifax.ca/PermitsInspections 

Permits and inspections are 

required for: 

• New home construction 

• Additions and renovations to 

existing homes including: 

• all structural repairs or 

alterations 

• all interior and exterior 

renovations with a value in 

excess of $5000 

• additions (including decks, 

exterior stairs, sunrooms) 

• any change to a plumbing 

system 

• the demolition of existing 

structures 

• Decks: Above Grade Wood 

Decks and Railings 

• Sheds: Detached Garages and 

Accessory Buildings 

• Pools: Swimming Pools In 

Ground and Above Ground 

Frequently Asked 

Questions 

What do I need to apply for a 

permit? 

You will need to submit with a 

completed permit application form: 

• 3 copies of the complete plans, 

showing all structural components. 

• 3 copies of a site plan showing 

the proposed location of the 

project in relation to any other 

buildings on the property, the 

property lines, and water courses. 

• All applicable fees and deposits. 

How much will a permit cost? 

For New Homes and Renovations 

The permit fee is based on the floor 

area for new residential construction. 

All floors at or above the mean 

finished grade surrounding the 

building is $0.30 a square foot. All 

floors below grade, but not below 

5.5 ft of the mean finished grade 

surrounding the building are $0.25 a 

square foot. Basements are $0.10 a 

square foot. Attached and detached 

garages are $0.10 a square foot. 

Plumbing permit fees vary across the 

municipality, but the average residential 

plumbing permit fee is $50.00. 

Depending on whether your residence 

will be serviced by the municipal 

sewer and/or water systems or a new 

driveway is to be installed, there are 

additional charges and deposits for 

sewer redevelopment, sewage 

treatment, solid waste, lot grading, 

site disturbance and Streets and 

Services Permit. 

12

For renovation type work, including 

structural alterations and repairs, the 

permit fee is $5.50 per $1000.00 of 

the estimated value of construction 

when complete. There is a permit fee 

of $25.00. 

For Sheds (detached garage and 

accessory buildings) 

The permit fee to construct an 

accessory building (shed, garage) Is 

based on the size of the 

structure at a rate of 10 cents per 

square foot. 

For Decks or Pools 

The permit fee to construct a deck or 

install a pool is based on $5.50 per 

$1000 of the estimated value of the 

project with a minimum $25 fee. 

Where can I make an 

application for a permit? 

The following HRM Customer Service 

Centres accept applications. 

They are located at: 

• 636 Sackville Drive (Acadia 

Centre) in Sackville, 869-4380 

• 7071 Bayers Road, Ste.2005, 

Halifax, 490-5650 

• 40 Alderney Drive 

(Alderney Gate in 

Dartmouth, 490-4490 

How long will it take to get a 

permit? 

With a complete 

application, every effort is made 

to issue a building permit within 5 

business days. You may call any time 

to inquire about the status of your 

application. Please remember to have 

your application number when making 

inquiries or submitting 

additional information. 

13

Does my permit expire? 

Yes, a building permit is valid for 2 

years from the date it is issued. Also, 

if construction has not commenced in 

the first 12 months, the permit may 

be cancelled. 

Do I need to call for inspections? 

For a deck 

Yes, once the permit is issued, you 

are required to call for the following 

inspections: 

• Footing • Final 

For a pool 

Yes, when the project is complete you 

are required to call for a final inspection. 

The pool and the fence must be installed 

prior to this inspection. 

For a shed 

Yes, once the permit is issued, you 

are required to call for all mandatory 

inspections. The inspections include 

footing, prior to backfill; framing, 

prior to drywall; and final. All of these 

inspections may not be applicable for 

every accessory building. 

How do I request an inspection? 

An inspection can be requested by 

calling the inspection line for your 

region before 9:30 a.m. 

Western Region, 490-7097 

Central Region, 869-0062 

Eastern Region, 490-4553 

For further details on permits and 

inspections, please pick up one of our 

brochures at our Customer Service 

Centres or go online at www.halifax. 

ca/PermitsInspections. 

By-laws 

www.halifax.ca/police/bylawservices 

Respect for others is important 

to being a good neighbour. As 

residents of HRM we are all 

entitled to the continued 

enjoyment of our homes and 

properties. HRM has by-laws in 

place regulating neighbourhood 

concerns such as property 

maintenance and noise. 

14

To view HRM By-laws: 

www.halifax.ca/legislation 

Who to call 

Enforcement of HRM By-Laws is 

shared by a number of business units. 

For the following concerns: 

• Improperly Placed Curbside Solid 

Waste 

• Illegal Dumping 

• Sidewalk Snow and Ice Removal 

in the former City of Halifax 

• Dangerous or Unsightly Premises 

• Pesticides 

• Day Time Noise 

• Commercial Vending on Public 

Property 

Call By-Law Services - 490-4000 

1(800) 835-6428 (Toll free in Nova 

Scotia Only) 

For Noise - Evenings, Weekends 

and Holidays 

In Progress - Call the Police at 490- 

5020. 

After The Fact - Call the Police at 

490-5016 to file an Incident Report. 

For Graffiti 

In Progress - Call 911 immediately. 

Graffiti vandalism is a crime. 

On HRM Property Call – 

490-4000 or1(800) 835-6428 (Toll 

free in Nova Scotia Only) or report 

online through Access HRM. A 

clean-up crew will be dispatched 

within 3 days, 24 hours for racist, 

obscene or offensive graffiti. 

On Private Property - Call the Police 

at 490-5016 to file a Property 

Damage Report. 

• To report obscene or offensive 

graffiti after the fact, call: 490-4000 

and your request will be addressed 

through By-law Services. 

For Land Use and Zoning 

Call - 490-4000 or 1 (800) 835-6428 

(Toll free in Nova Scotia Only) 

For Temporary Signs 

Call - 490-4000 or 1 (800) 835-6428 


For Interior Property Concerns 

Call - 490-4000 or 1 (800) 835-6428 


Animal Services 

HRM Animal Services responds to 

animal-related public safety and 

nuisance issues, including dog attacks 

and biting incidents, dogs running 

at large and excessive barking. Call 

490-4000 (1-800-835-6428 toll free 

in Nova Scotia only) or visit 

www.halifax.ca/police/animalservices. 

15

Calendar of Events 

2012 

www.halifax.ca/calendar 

For the most up-to-date 

information, please visit our 

Online Calendar at 

www.halifax.ca/calendar. 

January 

1 • Community Grants Program 

opens for applications 

• New Year’s Day Levee at City 

Hall 

• New Year’s Day - no waste 

collection 

March 

Skating Oval closes mid-March (weather dependent) 

7 

22 

28 

31 

Spring Recreation Registration: 

Preschool, Child, Youth and Adult 

programs 

Spring Recreation Registration: 

Aquatics programs 

Summer Recreation Registration: 

Preschool, Child, Youth and Adult 

programs 

Deadline for Community Grant 

applications 

27 

Deadline for Civic Events Grant 

Applications (First In-take) 

February 

14 

Apply now for Recreation 

summer jobs 

27 Metro Transit schedule changes 

April 

Public Gardens opens this month 

1 

6 

7 

Deadline for Community Garden 

applications (see page 23) 

Good Friday - no waste collection 

Alternate waste collection date for 

Good Friday 

Note: For waste collection, only holidays 

which result in an alternate waste collection 

day are listed. 

15- 

21 

18 

22 

30 

National Volunteer Week 

Volunteer Awards Ceremony 

Earth Day 

Interim Tax Bill payment due 

16

May 

1-7 

11-14 

21 

June 

National Youth Week 

Police Week 

Metro Transit schedule changes 

June is Recreation Month 

6 

3-9 

9-10 

Summer Recreation Registration: 

Aquatics programs 

Environment Week 

HRM Curbside Give Away 

Weekend 

August 

4 

4-6 

6 

15 

17 

19 

27 

Alternate waste collection for 

Natal Day 

Natal Day Festival 

(www.natalday.org) 

Natal Day - no waste collection 

Fall Recreation Registration: 

Preschool, Child, Youth and 

Adult Programs 

Fall Recreation Registration: 

Aquatics and Skating Programs 

Clam Harbour Beach Sandcastle 

Contest 

(www.clamharboursandcastle.ca) 


July 

1 

• Canada Day – 

Info: www.hrmcanadaday.ca 

• Supervised Swimming begins 

31 

Supervised swimming ends 

Deadline for Civic Events Grant 

Applications (Second In-take) 

17

September 

1 

3 


Labour Day 

Labour Day – no waste collection 

November 

7 

Winter Recreation Registration 

Preschool, Child, Youth and 

Adult Programs 

6-9 

Hopscotch Arts Festival 

(www.hopscotchhalifax.com) 

October 

6 


Thanksgiving Day 

11 

16- 

17 

19 

24 

Remembrance Day 

Volunteer Conference 


HRM Christmas Halifax Tree Lighting 

7-13 

8 Thanksgiving Day - no waste 

collection 

15 

15-20 

Fire Prevention Week 

Nocturne: Art at Night 

Waste Reduction Week 

20 Municipal Elections 

20-21 HRM Curbside Give Away Weekend 

Note: Public Gardens closes for winter in late 

November (weather dependent) 

December 

Skating Oval opens 

1 

TD Dartmouth Christmas Tree Lighting 

(www.halifax.ca/dartmouthtree) 

31 

Final Tax Bill payment due 

6 

Halifax Explosion Ceremony 

12 

Winter Recreation Registration 

Aquatics and Skating 

22 


Christmas Day 

25 

Christmas Day - no waste collection 

29 

31 


New Year’s Day 

New Year’s Eve in Grand Parade 

Jan 

1 

New Year’s Day - No waste collection 

The dates listed are accurate at the time of printing. 

18

Contacting HRM 

www.halifax.ca/AccessHRM 

Contact HRM by Phone 

• (902) 490-4000 

• Toll-Free (Nova Scotia only): 

1 (800) 835-6428 

• TTY (Hearing impaired 

teletypewriter users only): 

(902) 490-6645 

Hours of Operation 

Seven days a week (except holidays) 

7 a.m. to 11 p.m.* 

*Only urgent calls related to public works 

and animal control will be accepted outside 

of these hours. 

Contact HRM by Mail 

Halifax Regional Municipality 

PO Box 1749 

Halifax, NS B3J 3A5 

Please indicate c/o department or 

staff member. 

Contact HRM by Email 

E-mail inquiries are answered from 

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to 

Friday, in the order in which they are 

received: contactHRM@halifax.ca 

Contact HRM in Person: 

Customer Service Centres 

Halifax (Power Centre*) - 

Bayers Road 

7071 Bayers Road, 2nd level 

Halifax – Scotia Square 

5201 Duke Street, Lower Level 

Dartmouth (Power Centre*) 

Alderney Gate, 40 Alderney Drive 

Sackville (Power Centre*) 

Acadia Centre, 636 Sackville Drive 

Musquodoboit Harbour 

7900 Hwy # 7 

Hours of Operation 

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. except 

Musquodoboit Harbour 8:30 a.m. - 

4 p.m. 

*Power Centres offer Planning and Development 

along with Engineering Departments. 

Services/Information offered: 

• Residential and Commercial 

Property Tax payments and rates 

• Parking Tickets inquiries and 

payments 

• Dog Registration 

• Marriage Licenses 

• Water bill payments 

• Mini Green bins 

• Transit tickets, passes and 

schedules 

• Residential Parking permits 

• Property tax rebate deferrals 

• Grant Programs 

• Alarm Permits 

• Tenders 

• Local improvements charges 

• Vending licenses 

• Bylaw information 

• Employment opportunities 

Payment options: 

The accepted methods of payment at 

Customer Service Centres are cash, 

cheques, debit, Visa, MasterCard and 

American Express. Please note that 

Credit Cards cannot be used for payments 

of taxes, local improvements 

charge, water bills and marriage licenses. 

All Customer Service Centres 

have drop off boxes for payment. 

For more information on methods of 

payments for your property taxes. See 

page 63. 

19

Whose Job is it? 

1. 

HRM Services 

490-4000 

1-800-835-6428 (toll free) 

TTY/TTO 490-6645 

www.halifax.ca/accessHRM 

animal services & licenses 

alarm permits 

benches 

broken sewer mains 

bus and ferry schedules 

by-law complaints 

council schedules 

curbside drains 

customer service information 

damaged bus shelter 

dog licenses 

garbage collection 

general inquiries 

green bin information 

recycling information 

litter baskets 

manhole covers 

parks 

parking tickets and meters 

planters 

pot holes 

property tax information 

transit routes 

sidewalks 

snow and ice control 

street lights 

street signs 

traffic lights 

trees 

2. 

Police and Fire 

Emergency 911 

Halifax Regional Police 

Non-Emergency (24 hour) 

490-5020 

illegally parked cars 

public safety 

Fire & Emergency 

Non-Emergency 

490-5530 (8:30 am - 4:30 pm) 

490-5020 (after hours) 

20 

RCMP 

1-800-803-7267 (toll free) 

244-7208 (local) 

3. 

Bell Aliant 

611 #2 

broken equipment 

damaged equipment 

4. 

Water Commission 

490-4820 

customer account enquiries 

fire hydrants 

water main breaks 

water connection 

water disconnection 

5. 

Canada Post 

1-800-267-1177 

(customer relationship network) 

damaged equipment 

delivery schedules 

concerns with postal service 

6. 

Business Improvement Districts 

North End Business Commission 

497-5643 

Downtown Dartmouth Business 

Commission 466-2997 

Main Street Dartmouth & Area 

Business Improvement Association 

407-3533 

Downtown Halifax Business 


Quinpool Road Mainstreet 

District Association Limited 

209-2210 

Spring Garden Area Business 

Association 423-3751 

Spryfield & District Business 


1 

Sackville Drive Business 

Association 252-3099 

7. 

Graffiti 

Graffiti in Progress 

Call 911 immediately; graffiti 

vandalism is a crime 

Graffiti on HRM-owned 

Property 

Call 490-4000 or report online 

through Access HRM and our 

clean-up crew will be dispatched 

within 3 days; within 24 hours 

for racist, obscene or offensive 

graffiti. 

Graffiti on My Property 

Call the Police at 490-5016 to 

file a Property Damage Report. 

www.halifax.ca/corporate/Graffiti/ 

8. 

City Watch 

To set up a City Watch system 

in your area please contact 

490-7403. Through one 

simultaneous, computerized 

phone call to homes and 

businesses in your area of HRM, 

you can receive informational 

and safety messages that could 

affect you. 

4

“You have questions? ... 

We have answers!” 

8 

7 

2 

1 

2 1 

3 

5 

1 

1 

Paying Your Parking Ticket 

Parking tickets can be paid with a valid Visa, MasterCard or 

American Express card. 

• in person at a Customer Service Centre 

• online at www.halifax.ca/revenue/genrev/parking_tickets.html 

• by calling (902) 490-EAZY (3299) or toll free 1-866-263-3299 

21

Emergency Services 

www.halifax.ca/emo 

Natural disasters and other 

emergencies can occur suddenly, 

and often without warning. The 

best way to weather the effects 

of a major disaster with the least 

possible damage to your life and 

property is to follow the tips below. 

BE PREPARED! 

Have an Emergency Plan - your 

family may not be together when an 

emergency occurs, so your plan needs 

to cover how to meet or how to contact 

one another. 

Prepare an Emergency Kit - in an 

emergency, you will need some basic 

supplies to be prepared to be self-sufficient 

for at least 72 hours. You may 

have some of the items already, such 

as food, water and a battery operated 

or wind-up flashlight. The key is 

to make sure they are organized and 

easy to find. Find a list of what to 

include at www.halifax.ca/emo. 

Make sure your emergency kit is 

easy to find and carry - store it in 

a place such as your front-hall closet 

and separate supplies, if you can, to 

make them more portable. 

Know Your Risks - check for 

potentially dangerous things or 

places, near your home or work that 

may be susceptible to leakages, fires 

or explosions. 

Participate in Emergency 

Planning 

Citizens of HRM can get involved in 

emergency preparedness at the 

community level by working with 

EMO and sponsored groups called 

Joint Emergency Management 

Teams. (JEM). Currently, JEMs are 

operating in all rural areas of HRM 

and we are looking for interested 

people and groups in the urban area 

that may want to start a JEM. For 

more information, please visit: 

www.halifax.ca/emo/jems.html 

22

Fire Services www.halifax.ca/fire 

required and burning of brush is only 

permitted from October 16th through 

April 14th. 

Halifax Regional Fire & 

Emergency is dedicated 

to enhancing and 

preserving the quality 

of life, property and 

environment through 

education, leadership 

and effective response 

to emergencies. 

Contact Information 

General Enquiries 

Phone: (902) 490-5530 

Fax: (902) 490-5528 

E-mail: hrmfire@halifax.ca 


Questions 

Can I burn brush in HRM? 

Yes and No ... “No” subject to burning 

bans in effect, the ability to meet 

all applicable regulations found in 

HRM’s By-Law Number O-109 Respecting 

Open Air Burning and what 

time of the year it is if your property 

is provided with BOTH municipal 

water & sewer. 

HRM properties provided with BOTH 

municipal water & sewer services are 

located in a Permit Required Zone 

where an HRM Burning Permit is 

Exceptions: 

• An HRM Burning Permit is required 

for all commercial burning regardless 

of municipal water and sewer 

services provided to the location. 

• A Department of Natural Resources 

(DNR) Burning Permit is required 

from April 15th through October 

15th in accordance with Provincial 

Regulations regardless of municipal 

water or sewer services. 

• Before considering any open air 

burning in HRM, residents should 

familiarize themselves with all 

regulations found in HRM’s By-Law 

Number O-109 Respecting Open 

Air Burning. In addition, the person 

in charge of the fire must verify that 

there are no Burning Bans in effect. 

Burning Bans are released to the 

public as Public Service Announcments 

(PSA’s) and are posted to 

our website at halifax.ca/Mediaroom 

under “news releases”. If 

you do not have internet access you 

can contact us during regular 

business hours by calling 490-5530. 

Can I use a chiminea or other outdoor 

wood burning appliances? 

Yes, as long as the proper procedures 

and clearances are followed. You 

must have 15 foot clearance from 

the nearest adjacent dwelling. Never 

place a chiminea or other wood burning 

appliances on a deck or other 

combustible surfaces. 

23

Do I need a Fire Safety plan for 

my business? 

Yes. The National Fire Code of Canada 

requires the implementation of a fire 

safety plan for most buildings and 

occupancies. To find out whether your 

business requires a fire safety plan or 

to learn how to create one, visit 

www.halifax.ca/fireprevention and 

click on the Fire Safety Plans button. 

How do I become a 

volunteer fire fighter? 

Pick up an application form from 

your local fire station or from the Fire 

Administration office at 3rd Floor, 

Alderney Gate, 40 Alderney Drive, 

Dartmouth. N.S. You will be contacted 

about your application. 

For more information, visit: 

www.halifax.ca/fire/volunteer 

firefighting.html 

24 

What do I do when I see an emergency 

vehicle approaching? 

Pull to the right and stop. In an 

emergency, seconds can save lives 

and it is the law for any driver who 

sees and hears an emergency vehicle 

approaching from either direction to 

get out of the way. 

What do I do when I see emergency 

vehicles stopped on the road 

and shoulders? 

Pass with caution or move left. Slow 

down to 60 km/hr or obey the speed 

limit when it’s below 60 km/hr. If you 

can do so safely, leave an empty lane 

between emergency vehicles. 

For more information on Fire Codes 

& Regulations, visit: www.halifax.ca/ 

fireprevention/CodesRegulations.html

Fire Safety & Prevention 

www.halifax.ca/fireprevention 

490-4017 

Although preventing fires is preferable 

to fighting them, no home or 

workplace is immune to fire. Some 

of the leading causes of fires in 

Canada are: failure of electrical equipment; 

careless handling of flammable 

material; misuse of heating and 

cooking appliances; and careless use 

of smoking material. A few simple 

precautions can help you prevent, 

detect, and escape a fire: 

PREVENT 

• Handle electrical equipment, 

flammable or smoking materials, 

and heating or cooking appliance 

with care. 

• Protect your home and 

property from Wildfire. 

www.gov.ns.ca/natr/forest 

protection/wildfire/firecentre/pdf/ 

Wildfirebrochure2.pdf 

• Keep matches and lighters locked 

in a secure location out of reach 

from children, and teach them 

about match and lighter safety. 

• Each year hundreds of children 

die in home fires started by 

children playing with matches. 

Unsupervised children who are 

curious about fire can sometimes 

get their hands on matches, even 

if they are well hidden. If you 

suspect your child is setting fires, 

get help immediately by contacting 

HRM’s Fire Prevention Division at 

490-4017. 

DETECT 

• Test all smoke alarms once a 

month, and change batteries 

twice a year when you change 

the time on your clock in the 

spring and fall. 

• Replace your smoke alarm every 

ten years or in accordance with 

the manufacturer’s instructions. 

• Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms 

should be installed in homes 

with a fuel burning appliance or 

an attached garage. 

• Ensure fire safety systems in your 

home or workplace are 

inspected and in good working 

order. 

ESCAPE 

• Prepare a fire escape plan for 

your home, practice it at least 

twice a year, and post it in a 

place where everyone can see it. 

• Never re-enter a burning 

building for any reason. 

• Know who your Fire Warden is 

and where you are to meet once 

you leave the building. 

25

Getting Involved 

Municipal government is the level of government 

where you can have the most input 

into the issues that affect your life - and the 

lives of your family and neighbours. 

You can affect change in your 

neighbourhood through many 

different kinds of involvement with 

HRM. 

Community Engagement 

Community Engagement is citizens 

working with their local government 

to enact positive action. It involves 

sharing information, consultation and 

actively participating in local initiatives. 

Community engagement helps 

build strong neighbourhoods and 

helps inform decisions. For information 

on opportunities for you to get 

involved with your local government 

including online surveys, public meetings, 

workshops, and volunteering 

with HRM please visit www.halifax.ca 

Online Calendar 

Find dates, times and information on 

upcoming municipal meetings, events 

and public consultations. Links to 

Community Events, Youth Events and 

HRM-wide Festival and Events listings. 


Community Councils 

HRM has six Community Councils, 

each consisting of three to six districts. 

Community Councils consider 

local matters, make recommendations 

to Regional Council, and provide 

opportunities for public input. Find 

meeting times & dates, agendas & 

reports, minutes, and membership 

online at www.halifax.ca/commcoun/ 

cc.html or our Online Calendar. 

26

Boards, Committees and 

Commissions 

Volunteers are typically recruited in 

September of each year. To find out 

more, visit www.halifax.ca/boardscom 

or contact the Municipal Clerk’s 

office at (902) 490-4210 or clerks@ 

halifax.ca. 

Involving Youth 

Involving Youth 

hrmyouth.ca is HRM’s youth engagement 

tool. With over 600 hits a week, 

this website can help you connect 

with youth. Promote your events and 

youth programs for free. Visit www. 

hrmyouth.ca for more information 

contact us at hrmyouth@halifax.ca or 

call (902) 490-5451. 

Youth Guide to HRM 

Check out this guide! www.hrmyouth.ca 

This guide’s been created by youth for 

youth aged 13 to 19 years old. 

Youth Events, Programs, Living in 

HRM, Work, Volunteer, Recreation, 

Info for New Canadians, Teen Health, 

Gettings Around in HRM and much 

more! 

Good Neighbours, Great 

Neighbourhoods 

www.myHRM.ca is an online community 

for people who want to make 

a personal commitment to doing 

small but significant neighbourly acts 

that make their neighbourhoods 

great places to live, work and play. 

• Share your good neighbour stories 

• Learn about volunteer opportunities 

• Share tips, ideas, thoughts and 

resources on our Facebook page 

• Check out our Neighbourhood 

Toolkit - a “how to” guide for 

popular neighbourhood activities 

such as organizing a 

neighbourhood clean-up or block 

party and starting a 

neighbourhood association. 

• Search for and submit community 

events using our community event 

calendar: www.myHRM.ca/ 

resources/calendar.php 

Neighbourhood Sign 

Program 

HRM’s new Neighbourhood Sign 

Program can provide access to HRM 

owned land for a neighbourhood 

sign. The sign program is neighbourhood-driven. 

A volunteer group 

engages with the local community, 

prepares a site plan and design for 

the neighbourhood sign, and contributes 

financially to the project. A 

neighbourhood sign is an engagement 

tool to work collaboratively 

with local government, to celebrate 

identity and civic pride, to commemorate 

culture and heritage, and to 

foster a welcoming environment. For 

more information visit www.halifax. 

ca/CRCA/CommunityEngagement/ 

neighbourhoodsigns. 

Community Gardens on 

HRM Property 

HRM is once again accepting applications 

for community gardens on public 

property. The deadline for applications 

is April 1. For more information 

27

contact your local Recreation Centre 

or visit us on the web: www.halifax. 

ca/crca/communityengagement/CommunityGardens.html 

Volunteer Opportunities 

with Local Government 

From joining Citizens on Patrol (COP) 

to becoming a Reading Support volunteer 

tutor with the Library, check 

out which HRM departments are 

recruiting volunteers. 

www.myhrm.ca/Volunteers 

Volunteering 

www.halifax.ca/volunteerservices 

Did you know HRM has a department 

dedicated to supporting the 

work of our region’s volunteers? 

Volunteer Services can help... 

Connect you to: 

• other volunteers, non-profits and 

partners 

• resources and funding opportunities 

Provide training: 

• free workshops 

• a 10 week Leadership Program 

• A Volunteer Conference (every 

November) 

Stengthen your board or non-profit 

through: 

• advice, guidance and consultation 

• board training and development 

Build your community through: 

• helping you consult your community 

• community committees 

hrmvolunteerservices@halifax.ca 

490-4535 

Annual Volunteer Conference 

Held every year over a Friday and 

Saturday in November, the conference 

provides volunteers with an opportunity 

for training, networking with each 

other and services, key note speakers, 

sharing success stories and celebrating 

the hard work volunteers do for their 

community. The 2012 Volunteer Conference 

will be held November 16-17. 

Nominate Someone for a 

Volunteer Award 

Each year HRM, the Mayor and 

Regional Councillors recognize 100 

exceptional volunteers and groups 

who make outstanding contributions 

towards strengthening HRM communities. 

From among this group, 

ten representatives are invited to 

the Nova Scotia Provincial Volunteer 

Awards Ceremony. 

Apply online at www.halifax.ca/ 

Volunteerservices 

28

Community Grants 

If you are a registered, non-profit 

organization or a federally registered 

charity located within HRM, you 

could be eligible for a one-time grant 

through HRM’s Community Grants 

Program. The focus of the program is 

to provide support to local volunteers 

and to help them develop their programs. 

The Program opens in January 

of each year with a deadline for 

applications of March 31st. Please 

see the Guidebook on our website for 

details: www.halifax.ca/grants or call 

490-7130. 

HRM Festival and Events Grants 

For information on HRM Event Grants, 

contact Civic Events at 490-2700 or 

visit www.halifax.ca/events/grants.html

? 

Garbage, Recycling & 

Composting 

www.halifax.ca/recycle 

in the Halifax Regional 

Municipality 

In HRM, we work hard to protect the environment. One way we do this is 

through our 5 stream waste resource management system. The basis of 

this system is that separation of waste materials starts in the home. 

Organics Green Cart 

Blue Bag Recycling 

Paper Recycling 

30 

The Organics Green Cart Program 

collects all of your household organic 

waste, including kitchen food waste 

and yard waste. The program is easy 

to use – the Municipality provides 

the tools (kitchen mini-bin and green 

cart). Simply separate the material 

and your organics green cart is 

collected every second week from 

the curb for composting. 

According to our surveys, 94% of 

residents in HRM report that the 

program is a convenient method to 

manage food and yard waste. 

The Green Cart program diverts 

more than 50,000 tonnes of organic 

waste from the landfill each year! 

The program also produces soilenriching 

compost and reduces 

greenhouse gases and other 

emissions. 

Through the Recycling Program, 

residents recycle in see through blue 

bags. These items include all plastic 

containers (no styrofoam), beverage 

containers, glass jars, steel and 

aluminum cans, all milk containers 

and all plastic bags. 

Newspaper and other paper 

products are recycled separate from 

blue bag materials by placing it in 

a grocery bag, retail or clear bag. 

Corrugated cardboard is bundled 

and placed next to other recyclables. 

HRM residents recycle more than 

20,000 tonnes of material each year. 

This material is processed at the 

For more detailed information, check 

the ‘Householders Guide to Waste 

Management’ and ‘Organics Green Cart 

& Garbage Collection Schedule’ found

When you recycle and compost you help conserve natural resources by 

turning old products into new ones. In addition, recycling and composting 

reduces pollution, saves valuable landfill space, creates jobs and preserves 

the environment. 

The program is easy to follow, it’s responsible and this information outlines 

the main components that make it work. 

Garbage 

HHW - Household 

Hazardous Waste 

In HRM, Garbage is collected every 

second week and taken to a mixed 

waste processing and disposal 

facility. 

By participating in HRM’s waste 

diversion programs, residents are 

diverting approximately 60% of their 

waste from disposal! 

Certain electronics are not 

accepted for curbside collection. 

TVs, computers, monitors, printers, 

telephones, fax machines, cell 

phones and audio/video playback 

systems must be taken to an ACES 

drop-off site for recycling. 

Visit www.ACEStewardship.ca or 

1-877-774-3269 for more information. 

on the centre pages of this guide or 

on our website: www.halifax.ca/recycle. 

These pages can be pulled out and 

posted in your home for quick reference. 

Some waste products such as 

batteries, propane tanks and 

solvents can harm the environment 

if discarded improperly. 

HRM operates a Household 

Hazardous Waste Depot where 

residents can drop off these wastes 

for safe disposal. Households utilize 

this drop off depot for safe disposal 

of household hazardous waste. 

The HHW Depot operates selected 

Saturdays (9:00 am to 4:00 pm). 

Please call 490-4000 to verify this 

schedule. 

Latex and oil paint are also 

accepted at 22 local Enviro-Depots. 

Call 1-877-313-RRFB (7732) for the 

ENVIRO-DEPOT nearest you. 

HHW materials are not collected at 

the curbside. 

31

How How To PT 

Materials Materials must be must curbside be curbsi by 

Organics Organics Green Green Cart Cart 

Recyclables Recyclables 

Green Cart Green Program: Cart Program: Households Households eligible for eligible for Blue Bag Blue Program: Bag Program: Clear or Clear see-through or see-through 

municipal municipal curbside curbside collection collection receive a receive green a green blue bags blue are bags required are required to be used to be for used for 

cart and cart mini-bin. and mini-bin. 

recyclables. recyclables. Containers Containers and plastic and bags plastic are bags 

Weight Weight Limit: 100 Limit: kg (220 100 kg lb). (220 lb). 

recyclable recyclable in your blue in your bag. blue bag. 

Special Special Notes: Notes: 

Plastic Plastic Bags: Please Bags: stuff Please all stuff plastic all plastic 

Cooking Cooking oil and fat oil - and Cool, fat wipe - Cool, with wipe paper with paper 

grocery grocery and retail and bags retail into bags one into grocery one grocery bag. b 

towel, place towel, in place green in cart. green cart. 

(Remember (Remember to remove to remove paper receipts paper receipts first). firs 

Tie at the Tie top at and the top place and in place blue bag. in blue bag. 

Storing the Storing cart - the Store cart cart - Store outside cart outside in a in a 

ventilated ventilated area. area. 

Paper Products: Paper Products: Keep paper Keep separate paper separate and a 

dry. Newspaper dry. Newspaper and other and recyclable other recyclable paper pap 

Cart Identification Cart Identification - Please - record Please your record cart your cart products products must be must gathered be gathered in a separate in a separate 

serial number. serial number. The cart The and cart mini-bin and mini-bin remain remain grocery grocery bag and bag placed and alongside placed alongside the blue the blu 

at the property at the property if you move. if you move. 

bag. bag. 

Warranty Warranty - The cart - The warranty cart warranty covers covers Corrugated Corrugated Cardboard: Cardboard: Bundle cardboard; Bundle cardboa 

manufacturer’s manufacturer’s defects defects — not fire, — not loss fire, or loss or flatten and flatten bundle and (tied) bundle in (tied) armload in armload 

cart misuse. cart misuse. For repair, For call repair, 490-4000. call 490-4000. sizes (approximately sizes (approximately 0.6 m x 0.6 0.9 m x 0.9 m x 

Leaf and Leaf Yard and Materials: Yard Materials: Grass clippings Grass clippings 0.2 m - 0.2 2 ft m x 3 - 2 ft ft x x 83 in). ft Keep x 8 in). dry. Keep dry. 

should remain should on remain your on lawn. your If you lawn. have If you have Placement: Placement: Keep recyclables Keep recyclables separate separate from fr 

leaves you leaves cannot you use cannot as mulch, use as place mulch, in place in garbage garbage or green or cart. green cart. 

the green the cart. green Excess cart. leaves Excess can leaves be placed can be placed 

alongside alongside the cart the in colourless cart in colourless clear, orange clear, orange 

Special Special Notes: Please Notes: note Please that note collection that collectio of 

plastic or plastic heavy or paper heavy bags paper ONLY. bags There ONLY. is There is 

recyclables recyclables occurs weekly occurs in weekly urban/suburban in a 20 bag a limit 20 bag for limit curbside for curbside collection collection of leaf of leaf 

areas and areas every and 2 every weeks 2 in weeks rural areas. in rural areas. 

and yard and waste, yard with waste, a maximum with a maximum weight of weight of For more For information more information call 490-4000. call 490-4000. 

25 kg (55 25 lb) kg per (55 bag. lb) per bag. 

Branches Branches should be should tied in be armload-sized tied in armload-sized 

bundles bundles – maximum – maximum 5 bundles. 5 bundles. Each bundle Each bundle 

not exceeding not exceeding 34 kg (75 34 lb) kg and (75 no lb) individual and no individual 

piece in piece the bundle in the more bundle than more 1.2 than m long 1.2 m long 

(4 ft) or (4 larger ft) or than larger 0.2 than m (80.2 inches) m (8 inches) in 

diameter. diameter. Place beside Place Green beside Cart. Green Cart. 

Natural Natural Christmas Christmas trees (free trees of plastic, (free of plastic, 

ornaments, ornaments, metal, stands metal, stands tree and bags) tree are bags) are 

collected collected on your on green your cart green collection cart collection day. day. 

Place beside Place your beside green your cart. green cart. 

Printed with Printed vegetable with vegetable based inks based on recyclable inks on recyclable 

paper containing paper containing post consumer post consumer fibres. fibres. 

For more For information more information call 490-4000, call 490-4 TD

epare It 

7:00 am to ensure collection. 

Garbage 

Proper Container: Garbage is to be securely 

bagged or placed in a secured metal or 

plastic container. Scattered garbage due to 

bags broken by animals, is the responsibility 

of the householder. 

Bag/Container Limits: Household dwellings 

with 1 residential unit are permitted up to 

a total of 6 bags or containers and 1 bulky 

item. Householders can substitute a bundle 

of renovation waste for a bag or container. 

Maximum of 5 bundles. 

Buildings with multiple residential units 

on one property (from 2 to 6 units) are 

permitted up to 5 bags or containers per 

unit. The building is allowed a total of 2 bulky 

items. Renovation material is not accepted 

curbside at multi-unit buildings. This category 

includes homes with basement or upper floor 

apartments. 

Excess Garbage and Renovation Waste: 

Call 490-4000 for disposal facility location(s), 

fees and hours. 

Weight Limits: Bags (standard size) must 

not exceed 25 kg (55 lb). Full containers 

must not exceed 34 kg (75 lb). Renovation 

bundles must not exceed 34 kg (75 lb) and 

be no more than 1.2 m (4 ft) in length. 

Special Notes: Tires (auto, motorcycle, 

etc) are not accepted at curbside. Contact 

the RRFB at 1-877-313-RRFB (7732) for 

information on proper recycling. 

Auto Parts are not accepted at curbside. 

Contact an auto or metal recycler. 

Free mandatory CFC removal for all 

residential fridges, freezers and dehumidifiers 

prior to curbside collection, call 490-4000 to 

arrange. 

HHW 

Household Hazardous Waste 

Drop-off Depot Schedule: Operates 

selected Saturdays (9:00 am to 4:00 pm). 

Please check schedule first by calling 

490-4000. 

Who is Eligible: Residents of HRM only. No 

business waste permitted. 

Location: Behind the recycling plant at 

20 Horseshoe Lake Drive, Bayers Lake 

Business Park, Halifax. 

Paint: If you have empty paint cans or small 

amounts of paint, air dry or mix with sand or 

“kitty litter”, then place with regular garbage. 

Do not bring empty paint cans to the HHW 

depot. 

Leftover latex, oil and solvent-based paints 

including aerosol paint can be returned to any 

ENVIRO - DEPOT TM in HRM free of charge. 

Contact RRFB Nova Scotia at 1-877-313- 

RRFB (7732). 

HHW materials are not collected 

curbside. 

Used Motor Oil: Contact your oil retailer for 

a used oil drop-off site near you. 

For more information about HHW materials, 

see our web page: www.halifax.ca/recycle 

See other side for additional information. 

D/TTY 490-6645, 1-800-835-6428 or visit us on the web at: www.halifax.ca/recycle 

July 2011 Design: HRM Corporate Communications

Area I 

•Halifax 

•Sackville 

•Beaver Bank 

•Cole Harbour 

•Eastern Passage 

•Fall River, Waverley to Dutch 

Settlement & area 

If your community is not included here, 

please check Area II or call 490-4000 for 

more information. 

Organics Green Cart collection 

Garbage collection 

Holiday — no collection 

Alternate collection day for Holidays 

Materials must be curbside by 7:00 am to 

ensure collection. 

If your collection day falls on a holiday and that 

holiday is a Monday or Tuesday, then collection 

takes place the preceding Saturday. If the holiday 

falls on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, then 

collection will occur the Saturday following. 

Printed with vegetable based inks on 

paper that contains post-consumer 

fibre. Please recycle this guide/ 

schedule after use. 

Call 490-4000 or visit www.halifax.ca/recycle 

for the Household Hazardous Waste Depot 

hours of operation. 

APRIL 2012 

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30 

JANUARY 2012 


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30 31 

JULY 2012 


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30 31 

Organics Green C 

OCTOBER 2012 


1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 

28 29 30 31 

For more details on “What Goes Where” and “H 

visit us on the web at www.halifax.ca/recycle/ o

art and Garbage Collection Schedule 2012 

FEBRUARY 2012 


1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 

26 27 28 29 

MAY 2012 


1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

27 28 29 30 31 

AUGUST 2012 


1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 

26 27 28 29 30 31 

MARCH 2012 


1 2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 

JUNE 2012 


1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 

SEPTEMBER 2012 


1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

30 

NOVEMBER 2012 


1 2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

25 26 27 28 29 30 

DECEMBER 2012 


1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

30 31 

JAN 

1 2 3 4 5 

ow to Prepare It”, check your Householders Guide to Waste Management found in the Yellow Pages, 

r call 490-4000, TDD/TTY 490-6645, toll free in Nova Scotia 1-800-835-6428. 

Design: HRM Corporate Communications

Area II 

•Dartmouth 

•Bedford 

•Porter’s Lake 

•Lake Echo 

•Preston 

•Sambro 

•Hammonds Plains 

•Chezzetcook area 

•Sheet Harbour area 

•Lawrencetown 

•Musquodoboit Valley 

•St. Margaret’s Bay 

36 

•Prospect 

•Herring Cove 

•Musquodoboit 

Harbour area 

•Beechville 

•Goodwood 

•Peggy’s Cove 

•Harrietsfield 

•Ketch Harbour 

•Hubbards 

•Tantallon 

•Timberlea 

If your community is not included here, 

please check Area I or call 490-4000 for 

more information. 

Organics Green Cart collection 

Garbage collection 

Holiday — no collection 

Alternate collection day for Holidays 

Materials must be curbside by 7:00 am to 

ensure collection. 

If your collection day falls on a holiday and that 

holiday is a Monday or Tuesday, then collection 

takes place the preceding Saturday. If the holiday 

falls on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, then 

collection will occur the Saturday following. 

Call 490-4000 or visit www.halifax.ca/recycle 

for the Household Hazardous Waste Depot 

hours of operation. 

APRIL 2012 


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30 

JANUARY 2012 


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30 31 

JULY 2012 


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 

29 30 31 

Organics Green C 

OCTOBER 2012 


1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 

28 29 30 31 

For more details on “What Goes Where” and “H 

visit us on the web at www.halifax.ca/recycle/ o

art and Garbage Collection Schedule 2012 

FEBRUARY 2012 


1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 

26 27 28 29 

MAY 2012 


1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

27 28 29 30 31 

AUGUST 2012 


1 2 3 4 

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 

26 27 28 29 30 31 

MARCH 2012 


1 2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 

JUNE 2012 


1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 

SEPTEMBER 2012 


1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

30 

NOVEMBER 2012 


1 2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

25 26 27 28 29 30 

DECEMBER 2012 


1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

30 31 

JAN 

1 2 3 4 5 

ow to Prepare It”, check your Householders Guide to Waste Management found in the Yellow Pages, 

r call 490-4000, TDD/TTY 490-6645, toll free in Nova Scotia 1-800-835-6428. 

Design: HRM Corporate Communications

Household 

Materials must be curbside by 

Organics Green Cart 

Collected every 2 weeks 

(even if not full) 

Place the following items in 

your organics green cart: 

Blue Bag Recycling 

Paper Recycling 

Urban/Suburban: 

Collected every week 

Rural: Collected every 

2 weeks 

All Food Waste: Fruit and vegetable 

peelings, table scraps, meat, fish, dairy 

products, cooking oil and fat (cool, wipe with 

paper towel, place in green cart), bread, rice, 

pasta, bones, coffee grounds, filters, tea 

bags, eggshells. 

Use boxboard or one sheet of paper to wrap 

wet food waste. 

Yard Waste: Excess leaves, brush and 

plants. 

Boxboard and Soiled Paper: Cereal boxes 

(remove liner), shoe, cracker and cookie 

boxes, paper towel rolls, soiled paper, food 

napkins, kitchen paper towels and tissue 

boxes (remove plastic). 

Other: Sawdust and wood shavings. 

Not for the Green Cart: 

• No ashes 

• No waxed/film packaging (e.g. microwave 

dinner) 

• No corrugated cardboard (e.g. pizza 

boxes) 

• No plastic bags (including ‘biodegradable’) 

• No cans, bottles or glass 

• No decorations or wire wreaths 

• No newspapers, magazines or shredded 

paper 

• No paper, coffee or Styrofoam cups 

• No milk containers 

• No rocks, logs or tree trunks 

• No soil/sods 

• No pet or animal waste 

Blue Bag Recyclables: 

Put in clear or see-through blue bag: 

• All deposit bearing containers* 

• All plastic containers 

- No styrofoam 

• Glass bottles and jars* 

• Steel and aluminum cans 

• Clean aluminum foil and plates 

• All milk containers* 

• Mini Sips and Tetra Juice Paks 

• Plastic bags including: grocery, retail, 

bread, dry cleaning and frozen food bags, 

bubble wrap. Remember to empty and 

remove all receipts. Please stuff all bags 

inside a grocery bag, tie and place in blue 

bag. 

*Place all caps in garbage 

NEW 

Paper Recyclables: 

Place in a grocery bag, retail or clear bag: 

Dry and clean paper, newspapers, flyers, 

glossy magazines, catalogues, envelopes, 

paper egg cartons, paperbacks, phonebooks 

and shredded paper. 

Corrugated Cardboard: 

(e.g. appliance boxes, pizza boxes) 

Fold boxes flat. Tie in bundles approximately 

0.6 m x 0.9 m x 0.2 m (2 ft x 3 ft x 8 inches). 

Paper and Corrugated Cardboard is placed 

next to blue bag recycling. 

For more information call 490-4000, TDD/TTY 490-6645, 1-8

ers Guide 

7:00 am to ensure collection. 

Garbage 

Collected every 2 weeks 

Place for collection in a 

secured garbage bag or 

container 

HHW - Household 

Hazardous Waste 

HHW Depot Drop-Off open 

selected Saturdays, (call 490-4000 

for schedule) 20 Horseshoe Lake Drive, 

Bayer’s Lake Business Park. 

• Aerosol cans, empty 

• Aluminum foil, soiled 

• Ashes (cold) 

• Broken glass (wrapped) 

• Bulky items: furniture, stoves, etc. 

• Carbon paper 

• Ceramics 

• Cloth items 

• Coffee cups, disposable 

• Diapers, disposable 

• Dishes 

• Floor sweepings 

• Frozen juice cans 

• Latex gloves 

• Light bulbs 

• Motor oil containers 

• Packaging, non-recyclable 

• Paint cans, empty or dry 

• Pet/animal waste 

• Plastic wrap, soiled 

• Potato chip bags 

• Styrofoam 

• Tissue 

• Toothpaste tubes 

• Toys, broken 

• Vacuum cleaner bags 

• Wallpaper 

Certain electronics are not accepted 

for curbside collection. TVs, computers, 

monitors, printers, telephones, fax machines, 

cell phones and audio/video playback 

systems must be taken to an ACES drop-off 

site for recycling. www.ACEStewardship.ca 

or 1-877-774-3260 for more information. 

00-835-6428 or visit us on the web at: www.halifax.ca/recycle 

Take these items to the HHW Depot: 

• Batteries of all types 

• Leftover corrosive cleaners 

• Pesticides/herbicides 

• Gasoline 

• Fuel oil 

• Solvents and thinners 

• Pharmaceuticals and drugs 

• Aerosol cans containing 

hazardous substances 

• Leftover liquid paint* (see below) 

• BBQ propane tanks 

• Small propane cylinders (e.g. camp fuel) 

• Motor oil (or contact your oil retailer for a 

used oil drop-off site near you) 

Special Notes: HHW materials are not 

collected at the curbside. 

* Left over liquid paint should be returned 

to the ENVIRO-DEPOT TM in your 

neighbourhood. Contact RRFB Nova Scotia 

at 1-877-313-RRFB (7732). 

Householders disposing of needles can pick up 

a sharps container and return it to their local 

pharmacy or contact the Canadian Diabetes 

Association. 

See other side for additional information. 

July 2011

Communities with Bi-Weekly 

Recyclables Collection 

Zone A blue bag collection days are shown shaded BLUE. 

Zone B blue bag collection days are shown shaded RED. 

Alternate days for holiday pick-ups. 

Reminder: Please refer to your collection schedule for green cart and regular 

garbage collection weeks. Normal collection will occur on Holidays not listed. 

Please place recyclables curbside by 7a.m., approximately 3 ft (1 meter) 

away from garbage or organics cart. Remember to flatten & tie your bundle 

of corrugated cardboard in arm-load sizes, approx. 2 ft x 3 ft x 8 in., 

(0.6m x 0.9m x 0.2m). 

Zone A: St. Margaret’s Bay, Prospect, Herring Cove, Sambro, Peggy’s 

Cove, Hubbards, Williamswood, Tantallon–including Sheldrake Heights. 

Also includes: Lake Echo, Mineville, Preston, Porter’s Lake, Head of 

Chezzetcook, West Porter’s Lake, Lawrencetown, Seaforth, Lower/East/ 

West Chezzetcook, Gaetz Brook, Conrad Settlement, Sheet Harbour, 

Tangier, Moser River, Ecum Secum, Mooseland, Upper Musquodoboit. 

Zone B: Enfield, Windsor Junction, Waverley, Fall River, Wellington. 

Also includes Eastern Passage & Cow Bay, Elderbank, Meagher’s Grant, 

Cook’s Brook, Middle Musquodoboit, Musquodoboit Harbour, 

Petpeswick, Lake Charlotte, Jeddore, Clam Harbour, Clam Bay, Goff’s 

& Dutch Settlement. 

Please remember: Recyclables are collected weekly on your garbage/organics 

collection day in the following areas: Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville, 

Beaver Bank, Kinsac, Cole Harbour, Westphal, Beechville, Lakeside and Timberlea, 

Hammonds Plains Road from Bedford to Highway#103, including; Kingswood, 

Lucasville Road, Pockwock Road, Westwood and Stillwater Lake. 

40

Zone A and Zone B 

Here is your schedule for the next 12 months … 

January 2012 February 2012 

March 2012 

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 

1 2 3 4 

1 2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 26 27 28 29 

25 26 27 28 29 30 31 

29 30 31 

April 2012 

Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa 

1 2 3 4 5 6* 7 

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 

22 23 24 25 

29 30 

26 27 28 

May 2012 


1 2 3 4 5 

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

27 28 29 30 31 

June 2012 


1 2 

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 

24 25 26 27 28 29 30 

*Friday, April 6 Good Friday, April 7 is the 

alternate collection day. 

July 2012 


1 2 

8 9 10 11 

15 16 17 18 

22 23 24 25 

29 30 31 

3 4 5 6 

12 13 14 

19 20 21 

26 27 28 

October 2012 


14 15 16 17 

21 22 23 24 

28 29 30 31 

August 2012 


5 6* 7 8 9 10 11 

12 13 14 

19 20 21 

26 27 28 

15 16 17 18 

22 23 24 25 

29 30 31 

September 2012 


7 1 2 3 4 

1 

November 2012 


1 2 3 4 5 6 

1 2 3 

7 8* 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

19 10 20 

25 26 27 

*Monday, October 8 Thanksgiving Day, 

October 6 is the alternate collection day. 

*Monday, August 6 Natal Day, August 4 is the 

alternate collection day. 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 

25 26 

27 28 29 30 

2 3* 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 

30 31 

*Monday, September 3 Labour Day, 

September 1 is the alternate collection day. 

December 2012 


1 

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 

23 24 25* 26 27 28 29 

30 31 1* 2 3 4 5 

*December 25 Christmas Day, December 22 

is the alternate collection day. January 1 New 

Year’s Day, December 29 is 

the alternate collection day. 

41

Library 

Halifax Public Libraries: 

Connecting people, enriching communities, 

inspiring discovery. 

General Inquiries: 490-5753 

Teleaccess: 490-5845 

Book a Computer: 490-5780 

Books by Mail: 490-5599 

Administration Office 

60 Alderney Drive, 

Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4P8 

(902) 490-5744 

Halifax Public Libraries comprises 14 

branch libraries, a website, and Books 

by Mail and Home Delivery services. 

The collection consists of over 1 million 

items — including books, magazines, 

DVDs, CDs and downloadable 

audiobooks, eBooks and videos. 

The library also offers programs for 

adults, teens and children, including 

author readings, live performances, 

homework help and puppet shows. 

All of the programs are free. For more 

information about library programs, 

pick up the bi-monthly Library Guide, 

or visit www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca 

Online services 

• the brand-new social library 

catalogue, Discover, where you 

can search for items, reviews, 

best-seller lists, community 

resources, courses and find other 

online resources such as 

encyclopaedias and consumer 

information 

• downloadable media, such as 

audiobooks eBooks and videos 

42 

www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca 

• local history resources such as 

Routes to Your Roots and 

Ancestry Library Edition 

• Homework Help for children, a 

live chat service featured on the 

Kids @ the Library page 

Branch hours and 

locations: 

Alderney Gate 

60 Alderney Dr., Dartmouth 

Adult Services: 490-5745 

Youth Services: 490-5748 

Circulation / renewals: 490-5753 

TDD for hearing impaired: 490-5770 

Monday - Thursday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 

Friday & Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Sunday: * 2-5 p.m. 

Bedford 

15 Dartmouth Rd., Bedford 

Information Desk: 490-5757 

Borrowing / renewals: 490-5740 

Tuesday - Thursday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 



Books by Mail 

(902) 490-5599 

1-800-565-4414 (long distance calls 

Email: Books by Mail 

Monday - Friday 8:30am-4:00pm 

The Books by Mail service is available 

to any resident of HRM who does not 

reside in an area served by a branch. 

Captain William Spry 

10 Kidston Rd., Halifax 





Sunday: * 2-5 p.m.

Cole Harbour 

51 Forest Hills Parkway, Cole Harbour 






Dartmouth North 

105 Highfield Park Dr., Dartmouth 

General inquiries: 490-5840 

Monday: 12-5 p.m. 

Tuesday: 12-9 p.m. 

Wednesday & Thursday: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 


Halifax North Memorial 

2285 Gottingen St., Halifax 





J.D. Shatford Memorial 

10353 St. Margaret’s Bay Rd., Hubbards 



Wednesday: 3-9 p.m. 

Thursday: 6-9 p.m. 

Friday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 

Keshen Goodman 

330 Lacewood Dr., Halifax 







Village Plaza, 7900 # 7 Highway, 


Telephone: 889-2227 


Wednesday & Thursday: 5-8 p.m. 

Friday: 12-6 p.m. 

Saturday: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Sackville 

636 Sackville Dr., Lower Sackville 


Circulation/renewals: 865-8653 




Sheet Harbour 

Blue Water Business Centre, 22756 

# 7 Highway, Sheet Harbour 



Wednesday & Thursday: 3-8 p.m. 

Friday & Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Spring Garden Road Memorial 

5381 Spring Garden Rd., Halifax 


Reference: 490-5710 

Youth Services: 490-5707 

TDD for hearing impaired: 490-5711 




Tantallon 

3646 Hammonds Plains Rd., 

Upper Tantallon 





Woodlawn 

31 Eisener Blvd., Dartmouth 





(* branches open Sundays between 

Labour Day and Victoria Day. 

43

Major Projects 

www.halifax.ca/IAM 

Can we build it? Yes we can! 

HRM is planning and 

building infrastructure - roads, facilities, 

parks, sports fields, and playgrounds to 

make our community a great place to live. 

The Oval 

Residents will now enjoy winter skating 

on the Halifax Common for years 

to come! Based on an approval from 

Halifax Regional Council a permanent 

skating oval is being installed on the 

North Common in the same location 

as the hugely popular Canada Games 

Oval. Construction of the Oval will 

be undertaken in two phases spanning 

two budget years. The Oval will 

be open year-round offering a new 

venue for a wide variety of sports, 

special events and other outdoor 

activities. 

44 

Central Library 

Construction on the future Central 

Library has begun. This facility will 

blend the best of traditional library 

services with new and innovative 

spaces, making it a vital centre for 

learning and culture in the heart of 

the community. The anticipated opening 

of the new Central Library is early 

2014. The proposed Central Library 

will replace the aging Spring Garden 

Road Memorial Public Library, which 

is rapidly deteriorating and no longer 

able to deliver service efficiently and 

effectively. As a civic landmark, the 

proposed Central Library will be a 

source of pride and inspiration for all 

residents and a welcome addition to 

the streetscape. 

Metro Transit’s New 

Bridge Terminal 

As part of the ongoing implementation 

of the 5-Year Strategic Operations 

Plan, Metro Transit is constructing 

a new, accessible Bridge Terminal 

to replace the existing facility which 

no longer meets the needs of its 

growing customer base. The new 

terminal, situated between Nantucket 

Ave. and Thistle St. in Dartmouth, will 

incorporate numerous accessibility 

and sustainability features to improve

Cool Tidbit: 

• Largest outdoor, 

artificially-refrigerated ice 

surface east of Quebec City 

• An ice surface equivalent to 3 

NHL hockey rinks 

• The ice surface can accommodate 

up to 1500 skaters at a time 

• 6 refrigeration units making it 

possible to skate in temperatures 

of up to 10 degrees Celsius 

• There is approx 450,000 linear 

feet (85 miles) of piping used to 

create the oval 

mobility access to this major transit 

hub – which services over 23,000 customers 

each weekday - as well as improved 

amenities for customers and 

operators. The anticipated opening of 

the new terminal is summer 2012. 

Capturing Solar Energy 

saves HRM $ 

Using renewable energy sources is 

not only smart for the environment 

but also for HRM’s bottom line. To 

capitalize on the great solar potential 

of our region HRM has recently 

installed solar hot water, solar hot air 

and SolarTron systems in a number of 

municipally owned buildings. 

Solar Hot Water - how it works… 

The solar system works by preheating 

water before it enters the 

existing water heating system, drastically 

reducing energy consumption. 

Typically a 2-collector system involves 

2 roof-mounted solar panels, or a 30 

to 40 evacuated tube installation, a 

Solar Boiler (which contains a solar 

pump and heat exchanger), and an 

additional storage tank for storing the 

solar heated hot water. HRM has flat 


East Dartmouth 

Community Centre – First 

HRM owned LEED Silver Certified 

building. 

panel installations at Findlay Community 

Centre, West Street Fire Station, 

Bedford Lions Pool, the Gottingen 

Street Police Station and at Centennial 

Pool in downtown Halifax. HRM 

has evacuated tube systems working 

at the Sackville, Cole Harbour and 

Eastern Passage Fire Stations. 

Solar Hot Air – how it works… 

Solar hot air panels are designed for 

supplemental room heating when the 

sun is shining. Air is drawn through 

the unit, heated up and pushed back 

into the room without electrical assistance. 

The unit is self-powered. These 

panels do not heat domestic hot 

water. Recent installations include: 

Grand Desert Community Centre; 

Moser River Community Centre; Upper 

Hammonds Plains Community 

Centre and the Harrietsfield/Williamswood 

Community Centre. 

SolarTron – how it works… 

Throughout the day, energy from the 

sun is collected in a parabolic dish (it 

resembles a satellite dish), which is 

then used to heat hot water for the 

facility. This solar collection system 

has been installed at the Knightsridge 

Fire Station. 


In 2009, there were 800 

solar hot water installations 

in Canada. 200 of those were in 

Nova Scotia. 

45

Newcomers 

www.halifax.ca/newcomers 

Newcomers add to the vitality, diversity 

and culture of HRM. 

Newcomer’s Guide to 

HRM 

Are you new to HRM? Do you want 

to know where to find housing, 

where to shop, how to find services, 

fun events and activities in HRM? 

Get your own copy of the Newcomers 

Guide, now available in Arabic 

and French, at HRM’s Customer 

Service centres or visit www.halifax. 

ca/newcomers 

Annual Newcomers 

Potluck and BBQ 

This annual event is an afternoon full 

of fun, games, food and festivities 

for the whole family! For full event 

details, including date and location, 

please visit: www.halifax.ca/newcomers 

46

Online Services 

HRM is pleased to offer a wide 

range of online services on 

Halifax.ca. Here are a few of them: 

AccessHRM 

www.halifax.ca/ 

accessHRM 

Submit non-emergency service and 

information requests via the Internet. 

Social Media 

www.halifax.ca/socialmedia 

Choose from a list of HRM’s official 

social media channels. 

Transit Trip Planner 

www.halifax.ca/googletransit 

A free public transit 

trip planner. Learn 

more on page 52. 

Follow Metro Transit on Twitter at 

@hfxtransit for service disruptions and 

detour information. 

www.halifax.ca/smarttrip 

To find a ride matching system for 

commuters. Learn more on pg. 62. 

Online Calendar 


Information about municipal 

meetings, events and public 

consultations. Links to Community 

Events, Youth Events and HRM-wide 

Festival and Events listings. 

e-Payments 

• Parking ticket payments 

www.halifax.ca/revenue/genrev/ 

parking_tickets.html 

• Recreation registration 

www.halifax.ca/recconnect 

RSS Feeds 

Subscribe for instant 

updates on: 

• HRM News Releases 

• Tender Opportunities 

• Field Conditions 

• Police Reports 

• Police News Releases 

• Fire Investigations 

Maps 

ExploreHRM is an 

interactive mapping 

application containing over 46 data 

sets including recycling, zoning, and 

recreation. www.halifax.ca/giss 

YouTube Channel 

www.youtube.com/HRM- 

NovaScotia 

Live webcast of Regional 

Council Public Sessions 

www.haligonia.ca 

E-voting 


Be sure to check out HRM’s other 

websites including: 

www.myhrm.ca 

Learn more on page 26. 

www.hrmyouth.ca 

Learn more on page 26. 

halifaxpubliclibraries.ca 

Download eBooks, audiobooks and 

videos; search the catalogue, book a 

computer, ask a question, get homework 

help and more. 

47

Police Services 

www.halifax.ca/HRMPolicing 

HRP and RCMP: 

Partners in Policing 

Call 911 for all emergency situations 

Halifax Regional Police 

Call: 

490-5020 non-emergency police 

response such as an 

on-going noise 

complaint or a break 

and enter where the 

suspect is no longer 

present 

490-5016 general inquiries and/or 

to report a crime not in 

progress. You can also 

report minor not in 

progress crimes such as 

theft, property damage 

and fraud, or leave a 

message for an officer 

online at https://www. 

halifax.ca/police/NonDis 

patch/index.html. 

Get Informed: 

Become a fan of Halifax Regional 

Police on Facebook and follow us on 

Twitter at twitter.com/HfxRegPolice. 

Halifax District RCMP 

Call: 

244-7208 non-emergency 

1 (800) 803-7267 toll-free 

885-2510 Sheet Harbour 

Detachment (nonemergency 

number) 

Partners in Policing 

HRM is unique in Canada. It is the 

only municipality that has both a fully 

employed police service (Halifax 

Regional Police) and a contracted 

police service (Royal Canadian 

Mounted Police, or RCMP). 

48

The Halifax Regional Police (HRP) is 

primarily responsible for policing the 

urban core while the rest of the 

community is policed by the RCMP. 

If you live in: 

Peninsular Halifax 

• HRP Central Division: Call 490- 

5133 to reach your Divisional 

Commander to discuss crime and 

quality-of-life issues 

• Police office located at Halifax 

Shopping Centre, 7001 

Mumford Road, Halifax 

Dartmouth 

• HRP East Division: Call 490-5172 

to reach your Divisional 



• Police office located at 7 Mellor 

Avenue, Burnside Industrial Park 

All communities between 

Sambro Loop and Bedford 

• HRP West Division: Call 490- 

5204 to reach your Divisional 



• Police office located at 15 

Convoy Run, Bedford 

Hubbards, St. Margaret’s Bay, Tantallon, 

Hammonds Plains, Prospect 

and Beechville- 

Lakeside-Timberlea 

• RCMP Tantallon Detachment 

located at 1 Eleanor Lane, Upper 

Tantallon 

Fall River, Waverley, Beaver Bank, 

Lower Sackville and Lucasville 

• RCMP Lower Sackville 

Detachment located at 711 Old 

Sackville Rd, Lower Sackville 

Eastern Passage, Cole Harbour, 

Lawrencetown, Lake Echo, North 

Preston, East Preston and Westphal 

• RCMP Cole Harbour Detachment 

located at 1171 Cole Harbour 

Rd, Cole Harbour 

Musquodoboit Harbour, 

Porters Lake, Chezzetcook, Ship 

Harbour and Jeddore 

• RCMP Musquodoboit Harbour 

Detachment located at 7929 

Highway 7, Musquodoboit 

Harbour 

Dutch Settlement, Carrolls 

Corner, Middle Musquodoboit, 

Upper Musquodoboit and Dean 

• RCMP North Central Office 

Detachment located at Highway 

224, Middle Musquodoboit 

Sheet Harbour, Mooseland, Moser 

River, East Ship Harbour and Spry 

Harbour 

• RCMP Sheet Harbour 

Detachment located at 22552 

Highway 7, Sheet Harbour 


Questions 

How do I get a Criminal Record 

Check? 

You can apply for a criminal record 

check online at www.backcheck. 

net/halifax or in person. To apply in 

person, visit your local police office 

with two pieces of identification, one 

of which must have your current local 

address. One piece of identification 

with an official photo is also required. 

Accepted identification includes Nova 

Scotia Driver’s License or Nova Scotia 

ID Card and one other of your health 

card, birth certificate, passport or 

social insurance number. Fees are $50 

for a Criminal Record Check for paid 

employment positions, and $30 for a 

Volunteer Record Check (requires an 

agreement between 

49

organization and police). More information 

on criminal record checks is 

available at www.halifax.ca/police/ 

CriminalRecordCheck.html. 

How do I make a complaint about 

an officer? 

HRP: Call our Professional Standards 

Office at 490-5158 or contact the 

provincial Police Complaints 

Commissioner’s Office at polcom@ 

gov.ns.ca or 424-3246. 

RCMP: You can contact any RCMP 

Detachment. You can also contact the 

Commission for Public Complaints 

Against the RCMP at www.cpc-cpp. 

gc.ca. 

How do I commend an officer? 

HRP: Call our Professional Standards 

Office at 490-5158, our General 

Inquiries line at 490-5016 or your 

Divisional Office. 

RCMP: You can write a letter to the 

Officer-In-Charge of Halifax District 

RCMP c/o HRM Police Headquarters, 

1975 Gottingen Street, Halifax, NS, 

B3J 2H1. You can also contact the Detachment 

where the member works. 

Where do I pay parking tickets? 

You cannot pay parking tickets at our 

police offices. See “You Have 

Questions?...We Have Answers!” 

page 17 for payment options. 

Where do I pay motor vehicle fines 

other than parking tickets? 

If you have received a summons to 

appear in court, you can pay on-line 

or in person at a Service Nova Scotia 

and Municipal Relations Fine Payment 

Centre or any Nova Scotia Justice 

Centre (courthouse). Visit www.gov. 

ns.ca/snsmr/online/help/fine_payment 

/fp.htm for more information. Please 

50 

note that you CANNOT pay these 

tickets at police offices. 

I don’t want to bother police, but 

I would like to report a minor incident 

or find out more information 

about a certain program. What 

number should I call? 

We encourage you to call the non 

emergency lines (HRP - 490-5016 or 

RCMP - 244-7208). You can also 

report minor not in progress crimes 

such as theft, property damage and 

fraud, or leave a message for an officer 

online at https://www.halifax.ca/ 

police/NonDispatch/index.html. 

How can I find out about 

publically-released information? 

Halifax District RCMP news releases: 

www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ns/newsnouvelles/ 

index-eng.htm. 

Halifax Regional Police reports and 

media releases: 

www.halifax.ca/police 

How can I get a police officer to 

speak to my community group 

about safety issues? 

To reach a local officer, please call the 

Halifax District RCMP non-emergency 

number at 244-7208. 

Contact the HRP Community 

Relations/Crime Prevention Unit at 

490-5989. 

Useful information: 

HRP: 

Community Response Officers 

Community Response Officers are 

assigned to particular communities 

and work with citizens to identify and 

resolve issues that affect community 

safety and public order. These officers 

can be contacted through your 

Divisional Commander.

School Response Officers 

High schools and their feeder schools 

are assigned a School Response 

Officer who works with teachers to 

educate students on public safety and 

crime prevention. They also address 

safety issues within the schools. These 

officers can be reached by calling 

490-5989. 

RCMP: 

Community Policing Officers 

Halifax RCMP District deploys seven 

Community Policing Officers across the 

district. Their role is to foster positive 

relationships between police and 

members of the community, and to 

contribute to the successful resolution 

of identified neighbourhood issues. 

School Liaison Officers 

A national priority of the RCMP is to 

contribute to youth-related strategies 

by preventing youth crime and 

preventing youth from becoming 

victims of crime. There are seven dedicated 

School Liaison Officers serving 

Halifax District who work directly with 

students, teachers and parents in the 

school environment. 

HRM Public Safety Office 

Public safety is everyone’s responsibility. 

What role will you play? 

Public safety is top-of-mind for 

citizens. HRM has a Public Safety 

Office dedicated to strengthening 

and fostering partnership with other 

levels of government, social agencies, 

educational institutions, business 

and community groups to ensure a 

coordinated approach to addressing 

the root causes of crime and enhancing 

public safety. Visit www.halifax. 

ca/police/PublicSafety. 

You can play a role in public 

safety! 

• Be a good neighbour. 

• Report criminal/suspicious activity 

to police. 

• Join or start a Neighbourhood 

Watch program in your 

community: www.halifax.ca/ 

Police/Programs/ 

neighbourhoodwatch.html. 

• Sign-up for CityWatch, a 

computerized voice and e-mail 

messaging system that allows 

you to receive safety related 

notifications. See page 16. 

• Secure your property to 

minimize the potential for 

victimization. Property crimes 

are crimes of opportunity. The 

more steps you take to secure 

your property, the less chance 

you’ll be victimized. 

• Volunteer with the police: 

www.halifax.ca/Police/ 

getinvolved.html or 490-6976. 

Halifax District RCMP: 

www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ns/prog_ 

services/community_policingpolice_communautaire/volunteerbenevole/index-eng.htm 

51

Planning and Design 

www.hrmbydesign.ca 

Over the past five years, HRM has 

taken a progressive approach towards 

future planning of the Region and its 

urban core, with the approval of the 

Regional Plan in 2006 and the HRMbyDesign 

Downtown Halifax Plan in 

2009. These important documents 

guide the planning and development 

of new residential, commercial and 

retail buildings; the design of public 

spaces; transportation networks; 

sustainability initiatives; parkland 

preservation; and, municipal services 

including water and wastewater. 

This year both the Regional Plan and 

HRMbyDesign move into their next 

phase, during which HRM will be 

engaging citizens from all communities 

to continue their involvement in 

shaping the future of HRM and its 

neighbourhoods through a variety of 

consultation and dialoguing tools. For 

more information visit www.halifax.ca. 

RP+5 

The Regional Plan is a living document 

intended to be responsive to 

emerging challenges and opportunities. 

Regional Council has therefore 

directed that the Plan be formally 

reviewed and updated every five 

years. The first review was initiated in 

October 2011; known as RP+ 5, the 

review will result in new and amended 

policies which will lead to greater 

liveability and sustainability of HRM’s 

communities. The review will focus 

on four overarching themes: 

A focus on sustainable solutions; 

• Enhancing the Regional Centre; 

• Improved suburban and rural 

community design, and 

• Mutually supportive land use 

and transit planning. 

52

HRMbyDesign Centre 

Plan 

The HRMbyDesign Centre Plan is 

phase three of HRMbyDesign, following 

the establishment of the overall 

Regional Centre Vision and Principles 

in phase one, and the creation of the 

Downtown Halifax Plan in phase two. 

Taken as a whole, the three phases 

present a 25 year vision of a dense, 

liveable and prosperous Regional 

Centre (Halifax Peninsula and Dartmouth 

inside the Circumferential 

Hwy) that will create sustainable 

economic and environmental benefits 

across the entire municipality. 

Although the Regional Plan positions 

the Regional Centre as a single 

cohesive entity, the area is currently 

governed by multiple municipal planning 

strategies and land use bylaws. 

These documents are out of date, 

inconsistent in their format and 

intent, and no longer respond well to 

our neighbourhoods’ challenges and 

opportunities. Therefore the primary 

deliverables of this project will be a 

new Secondary Municipal Planning 

Strategy (MPS) and Land Use Bylaw 

(LUB) for the Regional Centre. 

The Centre Plan will be a reinvention 

of planning, development, and community 

design within the Regional 

Centre, and will be a 

sustainability and 

design-based model 

on which to base 

future planning 

efforts across the 

entire municipality. 

53

Public Transit 

MetroTransit 

www.halifax.ca/metrotransit 

490-4000 

Bus, Ferry and 

Access-A-Bus 

Adult: 16 years and up $2.25 

Monthly pass $70 

Senior: 65 years and up $1.50 


Child: 5 - 15 years $1.50 


Student: $2.25 


MetroLink* 

Adult: $2.75 

Monthly Pass $85 

Child and Senior: $2.00 

*MetroLink is a weekday commuter 

service providing limited-stop, direct 

service to the downtown core. The 

#159 Portland Hills provides service 

between Portland Hills and downtown 

Halifax from 6 am – 7 pm; the 

#165 Woodside services Portland Hills 

to the Woodside Ferry Terminal during 

peak hours only; and, the #185 

Sackville provides weekday service 

between Sackville and downtown 

Halifax from 6 am – 10 pm. 

Google Transit 

Google Transit is a free online public 

transit trip planner that integrates 

Metro Transit routes, schedules, and 

bus stop data into Google Maps. 

Google Transit is available in 12 

languages, compatible with screen 

readers for the visually-impaired, and 

works with Google Earth and Google 

Maps for mobile devices. 

www.halifax.ca/googletransit 

MetroX* 

Adult & Student: $3.25 

Monthly Pass $100 

Child & Senior: $2.50 

*MetroX is a weekday commuter 

service providing direct express bus 

service between Tantallon and downtown 

Halifax from appr. 6 am – 8 pm. 

54

5-Year Strategic 

Operations Plan 

Metro Transit is in year two of implementing 

recommendations from the 

Council-approved 5-Year Strategic 

Operations Plan, which provides a 

roadmap for future service expansion 

and improvements. Highlights of this 

year’s priorities stemming from the 

Plan include: 

Accessibility Improvements 

Metro Transit will begin 

implementation of its Universal 

Accessibility Study which was 

completed earlier this year and 

contains recommendations on 

improving the accessibility of transit 

infrastructure, technology, operations, 

communications and signage. The 

new Bridge Terminal will be the first 

major infrastructure project to 

incorporate design recommendations 

from this study, with improved 

signage planned for the three ferry 

terminals as well. 

New Ferry 

Metro Transit is planning to increase 

its ferry service frequency through the 

addition of a fourth ferry to its fleet. 

The design for the new ferry is currently 

underway, with the intention of 

introducing the new vessel into service 

in 2014 on the Woodside-Halifax 

route, to accommodate increasing demand 

from the growing populations 

in Russell Lake West, Eastern Passage, 

and Woodside. The new vessel design 

will also be used for future replacement 

of existing ferries as required. 

MetroX Airport Service 

MetroX is a rural express service 

introduced in 2009, providing direct 

weekday service from Tantallon to 

downtown Halifax. A second MetroX 

route is planned for introduction in 

2012 between the Halifax Stanfield 

International Airport and downtown 

Halifax, with stops located at a new 

Park & Ride in Fall River and the 

Bridge Terminal in Dartmouth. Separate 

fare structure may apply. 

55

Urban Express 

Urban Express routes provide limitedstop 

service on fixed-routes within the 

urban core, while maintaining local 

service to help stay on schedule and 

get customers to their destinations 

on time. Three additional fixed-routes 

were converted to Urban Express 

in 2011, including the 84 Glendale 

Express, 85 Downsview Express, and 

86 Basinview Express, for a total of 

eight Urban Express routes targeted 

at weekday commuters. 


One bus reduces 

greenhouse gas 

emissions by 20% and 

removes 40 vehicles from the 

road. 

Sustainability 

Mass transit systems by nature are 

one of the most sustainable 

transportation options for citizens. 

Metro Transit has taken additional 

steps to increase its overall 

sustainability and reduce emissions, 

through the following measures: 

• Metro Transit’s fleet replacement 

program increases overall 

sustainability by replacing older, 

less efficient buses with new 

buses. One new 40 ft. bus 

produces approximately 1/200th 

the amount of GHG emissions as 

an older bus, and requires less 

diesel fuel for operation 

• Metro Transit operates 2 hybrid 

articulated buses, which reduce 

GHG emissions by 30% and use 

25% less fuel than diesel 

operated articulated buses 

• An Anti-Idling Policy requests 

that bus operators turn off their 

vehicles if they are stopped for 

more than 3-4 minutes to save 

fuel and emissions 

• The new Ragged Lake Transit 

Centre is an environmentally 

sustainable building, designed to 

target LEED Silver or higher 

standards. 

56

Recreation www.halifax.ca/rec 

490-6666 

HRM offers over 6000 recreation 

programs every year in 196 

communities. No matter your age 

or interests, there are programs 

available to fit your needs. 

• Visit www.halifax.ca/rec for a 

complete listing of: 

• Recreation Programs 

• Community Recreation Centres 

• Playgrounds, baseball 

diamonds, sportsfields, 

outdoor basketball courts 

and outdoor tennis courts 

• Pick up a recreation catalogue at 

Sobeys locations, libraries, 

recreation centres or ferry terminals. 

Program Catalogue 

Fall & Winter 

2011 / 2012 

Online 

www.halifax.ca/rec 

Phone 

490-6666 

1-866-445-4415 

Registration for Fall Programs 

August 16 - Preschool, Child, Youth & Adult Programs 

August 17 - Aquatic & Skating Programs 

Registration for Winter Programs 

November 8 - Preschool, Child, Youth & Adult Programs 

December 13 - Aquatic & Skating Programs 

Fall For & Winter more registration 2011 /2012information www.halifax.ca/rec 

go to page 107 

Page 1 

• Register for recreation programs 

• Online at www.halifax.ca/ 

recconnect 

• Call 490-6666 

• Visit an HRM Community 

Recreation Centre near you 

Here are a few of the ways HRM 

works with partners to provide 

opportunities for residents to get 

involved in their communities: 

Jumpstart in HRM 

Through a partnership with the 

Canadian Tire JumpStart Program, 

Recreation Services work to support 

children and break the barriers that 

may prevent them from participating 

in recreation activities of their choosing. 

www.halifax.ca/rec. 

National Youth Week 

Celebrations 

From May 1-7, HRM works to 

recognize and celebrate the 

accomplishments of youth in the 

community. www.hrmyouth.ca 

Summer Employment 

Exciting job opportunities await you 

with HRM Recreation Services. We are 

looking for people with enthusiasm, 

motivation, strong leadership and 

communication skills. If this sounds 

like you, check out www.halifax.ca/ 

rec/Employment for more info. 

Get Out… 

Check It 

Out 

The Get Out… 

Check It Out 

guide highlights 

19 trails with a 

focus on 6 

accessible trails. 

www.halifax.ca/ 

trails 

57

58 

Recreation Centres 

and Services 

Facility Sport and Scheduling 81 Ilsley Avenue, Dartmouth - Unit #12........ 490-7100 

1606 Bell Road, Halifax................................. 490-7100 

Acadia Centre 636 Sackville Drive, Sackville......................... 490-7100 

Adventure Earth Centre Fleming Park - 69 Parkhill Road, Halifax........ 490-4539 

Bloomfield Centre 2786 Agricola Street, Halifax........................ 490-4629 

Capt. William Spry Centre 10 Kidston Road........................................... 479-1111 

Chocolate Lake 14 Purcell’s Cove Road, Halifax..................... 490-4607 

Citadel Community Centre 1955 Trollope Street, Halifax......................... 490-3895 

Cole Harbour Recreation Centre 1216 Cole Harbour Road.............................. 490-4711 

Dartmouth North Community Centre 105 Highfield Park Drive............................... 490-5900 

Gordon R. Snow Community Centre 1359 Fall River Road, Fall River...................... 860-4570 

Findlay Community Centre 26 Elliot Street, Dartmouth........................... 490-4728 

George Dixon Centre 2501 Gottingen Street, Halifax..................... 490-4550 

Hubbards Recreation Centre 9856 St. Margaret’s Bay Rd, Queensland......... 876-8812 

Lakeside Community Centre 1492 St. Margaret’s Bay Rd, Lakeside............ 876-8812 

Larry O’Connell 6691 4th St, Halifax...................................... 490-3895 

LeBrun Centre 36 Holland Avenue, Bedford......................... 490-4665 

Musquodoboit Harbour Office #7900 Highway 7, Musquodoboit Harbour..... 889-4050 

Musquodoboit Valley Office 12046 Highway 224, Musquodoboit Valley........ 384-3008 

Needham Centre/Pool 3372 Devonshire Ave, Halifax....................... 490-4633 

North Preston Community Centre 44 Simmons Road......................................... 462-4230 

St. Andrew’s Community Centre 3380 Barnstead Avenue, Halifax................... 490-4693 

St. Mary’s Boat Club - (April - Dec) 1641 Fairfield Road, Halifax.......................... 490-4688 

Sheet Harbour Rec Office Bluewater Building 22756 Highway 7........... 885-2988 

Tallahassee Recreation Centre 168 Redoubt Way, Eastern Passage............... 465-5267

Community Operated Recreation Centres 

For more information on programs and services offered by these volunteer boards, 

please contact the centre directly. 

Beaver Bank Kinsac Community Centre 1583 Beaver Bank Road, Sackville....................865-5114 

Carroll’s Corner Community Centre 9 Milford Road, Milford Station............. 1-902-758-3753 

Cole Harbour Outdoor Pool & Tennis Court 

Complex Association 

609 Colby Drive, Cole Harbour........................462-8877 

(July & August) 

East Dartmouth Community Centre 50 Caledonia Road, Dartmouth........................435-3204 

East Preston Recreation Centre 

24 Brooks Drive, East Preston...........................435-9894 

Harrietsfield Williamswood Community Centre 1138 Old Sambro Road, Sambro .....................446-4847 

Lake & Shore Community Recreation Centre 40 Inspiration Drive, Porters Lake.....................827-2700 

Lake Echo Community Centre 3168 Highway 7, Lake Echo.................. 1-902-829-2512 

Meagher’s Grant Community Centre 4413 Highway 357, Meagher’s Grant ..............384-2672 

Moser River Community Hall 

28975 Highway 7, Moser River........................347-2114 

Musquodoboit Valley Bicentennial Theatre 

& Cultural Centre 

12390 Highway 224, Middle Musquodoboit........384-2819 

North Woodside Community Centre 230 Pleasant Street, Dartmouth.......................463-9276 

Northbrook Community Centre 

2 Chapman Street, Dartmouth.........................463-5806 

Prospect Road Community Centre 

2141 Prospect Road, Prospect..........................852-2711 

Riverline Community Centre 

80 Grono Road, Dutch Settlement...................883-2371 

Rockingham Community Centre 

199 Bedford Highway, Halifax..........................490-4686 

S. R. Balcom Centre 25718 Highway 357, Port Dufferin..................654-2512 

Sackville Heights Community Centre 45 Connolly Road, Lower Sackville...................869-4764 

Sheet Harbour Lions Community Centre 183 Pool Road, Sheet Harbour.........................885-2280 

Springfield Lake Community Centre 266 Lakeview Avenue, Middle Sackville............865-9449 

St Therese Community Centre 

17 Conrod Road, Grand Desert........................827-1902 

The Bay Community Centre 

11 Station Road, Head of St. Margaret’s Bay.........826-7900 

Upper Hammonds Plains Community Centre 711 Pockwock Road, Hammond’s Plains ..........835-3511 

Upper Sackville Community Centre 

2476 Sackville Drive, Upper Sackville................865-9449 

Wallace Lucas Community Centre 

596 Lucasville Road, Lucasville.........................865-0944 

Prospect Road Community Centre 

59

Welcome to the 

Public Gardens 

The Halifax Public Gardens, a 

National Historic Site, is one 

of the rare surviving Victorian 

Gardens in Canada. In 1874, two 

older gardens were combined to 

create the current size of 16 acres 

(6.4 hectares). Local citizens and 

visitors value the historic garden 

for its tree-lined paths, lawns and 

floral displays. 

60 

Services of the Public Gardens: 

• Security on-site 

• Sunday Band Concerts June– 

September 

• Wheelchair accessible 

(wheelchairs available at 

Horticultural Hall) 

• No appointment necessary for photos 

Please respect the Public Gardens for 

future generations: 

• No pets, bikes or jogging 

• Do not feed the waterfowl 

• Lawn activity on Family Lawn 

Area only 

• Weddings are not permitted 

• We are smoke free 

Hours of Operation: 

Opening April 12-November 2012 

8:00 am until dusk 

For Park Maintenance Requests: 

Call 490-4000 

www.halifax.ca/publicgardens

Snow Clearing 

www.halifax.ca/snow 

Look for 

this web 

button 

online. 

When will my ROAD be cleared 

after a snow storm? 

• Please allow 12 hours after the 

end of the snowfall for crews to 

plow main roads and bus routes 



plow residential and rural streets 

When will my SIDEWALK be 

cleared after a snow storm? 



plow sidewalks on main 

arterials 



plow sidewalks on school 

routes and bus routes 


end of a snowfall for crews to 

plow sidewalks on residential 

and rural streets* 

*In Peninsula Halifax and Spryfield, 

property owners are responsible for 

clearing their sidewalks within 12 hours 

after the end of any snowfall or, where 

the snow stops falling during the night, 6 

hours after daylight (By-law S-300). 

Our snow removal resources are in 

full force during a snow event in 

an effort to meet the above service 

standards. If our service standards 

have not been met within the times 

frames listed above, please call to let 

us know. Thank you for your 

cooperation and patience during and 

after snow events. 

Winter Parking Ban 

During winter weather events from 

December 15 until March 31, the 

parking ban will take effect from 

1:00am-6:00am. 

Residents are advised to refer to 

www.halifax.ca/snow for parking ban 

updates and to find alternative parking 

during the winter months. 

Within the service core (this includes 

Halifax, Timberlea, Bedford, Sackville, 

Fall River, Beaverbank, Dartmouth, 

Cole Harbor, Westphal, and Eastern 

Passage), no car can be parked on the 

street when the ban is in effect. In 

addition, residents are reminded that 

Section 139 of the Motor Vehicle Act 

provides that parked vehicles 

obstructing snow removal or winter 

maintenance operations may be 

ticketed and removed at the owner’s 

cost regardless of time or date 

(Section 139 of the MVA references 

“highways” - this term can be 

defined as “just about any facility on 

which the public can drive” and this 

includes residential streets). 

This information is accurate for the 2011/2012 

Snow Season which runs until the Winter Parking 

Ban is lifted. Please check www.halifax.ca/ 

snow for more accurate information. 


During snow clearing 

season, please keep your green 

cart out of the way of snow 

plows. 

61

Need a place to park your car during 

the Parking Ban? 

Parking Spot Matching Program 

• Looking for a spot to park your 

car? Do you have an extra 

parking space or two? 

www.hrmsmarttrip.ca is more 

than just a ridematching 

program. Register today to 

search for a parking spot or offer 

a parking spot. 

Park Smart! 

• For a list of places to park in 

downtown Halifax go to 

www.downtownhalifax.ns.ca 

62 

Snow Safety for Children 

• Never build a snow fort in the 

bank alongside the road 

• Walk on the sidewalk facing 

the traffic, not on the roadway 

• Never coast your toboggan 

near a roadway 

• Do not use basketball nets in the 

roadway 

• Do not throw snow balls at the 

snow plow or any vehicle. 

Working Together 

If an emergency event happens 

during a snow fall, snow plows will 

always help a fire truck or ambulance 

by clearing the way so they can get 

where they need to be.

Streets, Roads & 

Sidewalks 

Road Construction 

How does the municipality 

decide which streets take 

priority in a given year? 

HRM employs a “blended” pavement 

management strategy. We devote 

approximately 25 percent of the 

budget to reconstruction (streets in 

the poorest condition), 50 per cent of 

the budget to streets in fair condition, 

and 25 per cent to preventative 

maintenance on streets that are in 

better condition and can have their 

life extended for another five to ten 

years, as a direct result of the work. 

Why aren’t the roads in the worst 

shape given higher priority? 

Research has shown that maintaining 

the better streets costs the taxpayer 

considerably less per year than 

allowing a street to deteriorate and 

doing a complete reconstruction. If 

the entire budget was allocated to 

addressing only the worst streets, 

then those in better condition would 

continue to deteriorate to a point 

where they too would become 

considerably more expensive to repair. 

The roads seem to be in worse 

shape than they were 10 or 15 

years ago? Why is that? 

HRM (as with many levels of 

government across North America) 

faces difficult challenges regarding 

63

the condition of the pavement (and 

sidewalk) infrastructure and the 

associated rising costs for rehabilitation, 

which have doubled over the 

last ten years. Like most governments, 

businesses and families, we 

have to manage within our budget 

levels - which ultimately determines 

the number of streets and sidewalks 

that can be upgraded each year. 

When do paving/road 

construction projects typically 

start? When do they end? 

Paving, road and sidewalk work 

normally runs between May and 

October. Most road work runs from 

7 a.m until 6 p.m. Peak hours 

restrictions (7-9 a.m., and 4-6 p.m.) 

mean work can’t impede traffic flow 

on main arteries during the busiest 

times. 

Why isn’t road work/ 

construction done at night? 

The municipality does occasionally work 

on projects at night, but this is a 

challenge, given the proximity to 

residential neighbourhoods, safety, 

and the fact that any noise travels that 

much further when the surrounding 

noise level is lower. It’s something we 

continue to look at, but again, the 

challenge is doing so without impacting 

upon the surrounding residential area. 

Who, other than HRM, could be 

doing road work at any given 

time? 

Road work or paving projects could 

be done by HRM, a private 

contractor, the Province of Nova 

Scotia, the Halifax-Dartmouth Bridge 

Commission, Halifax Water, a land 

developer, or one of the Utilities 

(including Heritage Gas). 

64 


Do your part to help make 

your neighbourhood great: 

always keep your portion of 

the sidewalk clear of 

debris and snow! 

Sidewalks 

HRM maintains 840 kilometres of 

sidewalks. Municipal Operations has 

introduced a new grinding attachment 

for its tractors, providing a permanent 

fix for raised sidewalk slabs. These 

tractors may be a familiar site as they 

clear snow from sidewalks in winter. 

This attachment allows us to grind 

down raised slabs of concrete on 

sidewalks. Prior to the introduction 

of this equipment, the slab had to be 

replaced, or a temporary wedge of 

asphalt was applied to make the slab 

safe until permanent repairs could be 

made. 

The average cost to replace a 

concrete slab is $343.00; it only costs 

$17.00 to grind. This process allows 

us to make low-cost, permanent 

repairs and reduces the use of 

concrete. Municipal crews are 

dedicated to this service and we 

expect to have ground 1,200 raised 

slabs by the end of this year. 

Maintenance Planning 

Supervisors 

In addition to responding to resident’s 

concerns that are generated through 

the call centre, the Municipal Planning 

Supervisors patrol the Right of 

Way and identify defects to municipal 

infrastructure before they become a 

hazard or a complaint. Their efforts 

create efficiencies and improve 

service delivery.

Sustainable 

Transportation Options 

www.halifax.ca/Smarttrip 

Do you find yourself sitting all alone in 

traffic? Are you itching to answer that 

ringing cellphone, but you can’t because 

you are driving? Would you like to 

respond to your emails - before you 

reach that pile of work on your desk in 

the office? 

SmartTrip: Exercise your 

Options 

HRM’s SmartTrip program partners 

with employers to encourage increased 

transit ridership, carpooling, 

active transportation and tele-work to 

help reduce congestion, save money, 

reduce stress and emissions. Working 

with employer partners, we offer 

an employee commuter habits audit, 

the Guaranteed Ride Home Program, 

Smart Cycle safety and skills training, 

the SmartTrip EPass, and more. Visit 

halifax.ca/smarttrip for more information 

on how your employer can get 

on board. 

Form a Carpool 

The SmartTrip online ridematching 

program will help you connect with 

neighbours and co-workers going 

your way. Register now and find your 

carpool matches at: halifax.ca/smarttrip/ridematch 

Active Commuting 

Be healthy and save money - Choose 

to walk, run, wheel. Visit www.halifax.ca/cycling 

for information on bike 

routes and trails. HRM Bike Maps can 

be ordered through HRM’s Corporate 

Call Centre at 490-4000. 

MetroTransit 

Taking MetroTransit is good for your 

wallet, your peace of mind and the 

environment! Plan your trip at Google 

Transit Trip Planner halifax.ca/googletransit/. 

Other Options: 

Flexible Work Options 

Enhance the balance between personal 

life and work. Alternative work 

hours can help reduce the traffic volume 

during the morning and evening 

peak commuter periods. Getting to 

and from work is faster and easier. 

Carsharing 

Utilize fleet vehicles or join a car share 

service – access to a vehicle when you 

need it, without the cost, hassles and 

pollution of ownership. Join today at 

www.carsharehfx.ca. 

Vanpooling 

Commercially operated vanpools 

bring commuters into HRM. Contact 

Green Rider Limited at 1-877-250- 

9016. 

65

DriveWiser 

A fuel efficiency program for the 

residents of Nova Scotia. Contact 

drivewiser.ca 

Taxes 


• 3 hours of biking per week reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke by 50% 

• A 10 minute commute to the office (a 20 minute round trip) consumes two 40 hour 

weeks a year! Don’t you have something else to do with your time? 

• MetroTransit services over 90,000 passenger trips daily throughout our community 

• Employees who use smart alternatives for their commute to work are more likely to 

arrive on time and be less stressed than those who drive alone 

www.halifax.ca/revenue/tax 

General Internal Services 

10% 

Debt Charges 

7% 

Capital Budget and 

Reserves 

12% 

Recreation, Planning & 

Libraries 

6% 

Education, 

Corrections, Housing 

Assessment (Provincial 

Services) 

21% 

Where Your Tax 

Dollar is Spent 

Police, Fire, Hydrants 

25% 

Transportation, Public Works & Asset Management 

19% 

HRM invoices property tax bills 

to all property owners twice each 

year: 

Interim Tax Bill due date: 

April 30, 2012 

Final Tax Bill due date: 

Oct. 31, 2012 

For information on understanding 

your tax bill, visit 

www.halifax.ca/revenue/taxbill 

66 

Payment Methods 

HRM offers a Pre-Authorized Payment 

Program for your convenience. See 

the website for details. 

Other ways to pay include: 

• Through online or telephone 

banking with your financial 

institution 

• At any automated bank machine 

or financial institution

• At any one of our Customer 

Service Centres 

• At any one of our customer 

service drop-off box locations if 

paying via cheque or money 

order 

If you have a payment posting inquiry, 

questions, or comments phone 902- 

490-4000, 1-800-835-6428 (Nova 

Scotia Residents only) or email us at 

cashmgmt@halifax.ca 

Assistance for 

Homeowners 

HRM can help homeowners who 

qualify pay their property tax through 

a payment plan, a property tax 

rebate, or a deferral of property tax 

(payment is put off to a later date). 

A homeowner with a local improvement 

charge may also be able to 

apply for a deferral of their charges. 

Application forms for the 2011-2012 

rebate and deferral programs will be 

available in early May. If your total 

household income is below $30,000, 

you may be eligible. Visit www.halifax.ca/revenue/tax 

to learn more. 


Questions 

How are taxes collected? 

Municipal taxes are collected through 

property tax bills that are issued to 

property owners in HRM. Twice a year 

property owners receive property tax 

bills, usually sent in March and in 

September, and are due in April and 

October respectively. The amount of 

individual tax bills differs depending 

on the assessed value of the property 

(as determined by the province), the 

tax rate (as determined by the 

municipality), and any other area 

rates that might apply. 

Why are some tax rates higher 

than others? 

HRM has three tax rates for 

residential property: the rural (base) 

general tax rate, the suburban 

general tax rate, and the urban 

general tax rate. These tax rates 

reflect the variation in services 

provided by the municipal government 

in these areas; for example, the rural 

(base) general tax rate is lower 

because rural areas do not typically 

pay for transit or sidewalks. The 

differing tax rates are set to reflect the 

different level of services provided in 

areas throughout HRM. 

What if I don’t use some of the 

services within my district? Do I 

still have to pay for them in my 

taxes? 

Yes. Many of the services paid for 

through property taxes are services 

that benefit the community as a 

whole (i.e. police, fire services, 

libraries). Even if you feel you do not 

use these services on a day-to-day 

basis, they still contribute to making 

your community safer, and a more 

enjoyable place to live; something 

that benefits all people living in the 

community. 

67

Traffic & Crosswalk 

Safety 

www.halifax.ca/traffic 

Traffic Safety 

Tips for Drivers 

• A crosswalk exists at EVERY 

intersection whether it is painted 

or not. 

• Drivers MUST yield the right of 

way to pedestrians who are 

lawfully within a crosswalk. 

• Drivers must avoid distractions 

such as cell phones and handheld 

devices when driving. 

• It is illegal to pass a vehicle that 

has stopped at a crosswalk to 

allow a pedestrian to cross. 

• It is an offence to park a vehicle 

within 5 meters of a crosswalk. 

Tips for Pedestrians 

• Pedestrians should always make 

the intent to cross the street 

known and NEVER enter the 

crosswalk when a vehicle has 

already entered the intersection. 

• Pedestrians crossing the street 

at any location other than a 

crosswalk MUST yield the right of 

way to vehicles on the road. 

• If a pedestrian signal has a 

push-button, it should always be 

pushed before entering the 

crosswalk. 

to indicate when it is safe to cross 

(now a “coo coo” sound for North/ 

South crossings and the “Canadian 

Melody” for East/West crossings). 

Countdown Signals 

Some of the crossings are now 

equipped with a countdown signal 

used in conjunction with conventional 

pedestrian signals at locations with long 

crossings. The timer comes on with 

the flashing “don’t walk” symbol to 

give you an amount of time before the 

steady “don’t walk” symbol appears. 

LED Lights 

HRM is moving toward upgrading 

all traffic signals to LED. LED lights 

in traffic signals use approximately 

85% less electricity than conventional 

lights and result in reduced 

maintenance costs and provide 

enhanced visibility. In addition to the 

LED traffic signals, HRM is also 

beginning to replace street lights with 

LED units. 

Crosswalk Safety & 

Accessibility 

Audible Pedestrian Signals 

Imagine if you had to navigate our 

busy roadways if your vision was 

impaired? How would you know 

when it is safe to cross? 

HRM has installed 27 Audible 

Pedestrian Signals (APS) at busy 

intersections throughout HRM. 

The APS devices provide sounds 

68

Water 

Halifax Water: Striving For World Class 

www.halifaxwater.ca 

Wastewater & Stormwater 

General customer service, including 

account set up and cancellation: 

490-4820 

Halifax Water is Canada’s first 

regulated, water, wastewater and 

stormwater utility. 

Halifax Water manages six 

watersheds: Pockwock Lake, Lake 

Major, Bennery Lake, Tomahawk Lake 

(future supply), Chain Lake (Halifax 

backup supply) and Lamont/Topsail 

(Dartmouth backup supply). 

The watersheds around Pockwock 

Lake and Lake Major, the two major 

water supply sources for the urban 

area of HRM, are designated as 

protected areas under the Nova 

Scotia Environment Act. A protected 

watershed ensures that surface runoff 

and inflow to the source lakes occur 

within a pristine environment. 

Water Saving Tips 

To save water in the bathroom 

• Check your toilet for leaks. Put a 

little food colouring in your toilet 

tank. If, without flushing, the 

colour begins to appear in the 

bowl, you have a leak that 

should be repaired immediately. 

• Install water-saving shower heads 

or flow restrictors. 

• Take shorter showers. Long, hot 

showers can waste five to ten 

gallons every unneeded minute. 

24 hour water emergency service: 

490-6940 

24 hour sewer emergency service: 

490-4000 

• Turn off the water after you wet 

your toothbrush and while shaving. 

• Check faucets and pipes for 

leaks. Even the smallest drip from 

a worn washer can waste 20 or 

more gallons a day. Larger leaks 

can waste hundreds. 

To save water in the kitchen and 

laundry 

• Use your automatic dishwasher 

only for full loads. 

• If you wash dishes by hand, don’t 

leave the water running for rinsing. 

• Keep a container of drinking 

water in the refrigerator. Running 

tap water to cool it off for 

drinking water is wasteful. 

• Check faucets and pipes for leaks. 

To save water outside 

• Deep-soak your lawn. When you 

do water, do it long enough for 

the moisture to soak down to the 

roots where it will do the most 

good. 

• Water during the cool parts of 

the day. Early morning generally is 

better than dusk since it helps 

prevent growth of fungus. 

69

• Put a layer of mulch around 

trees and plants. Mulch will slow 

evaporation of moisture and 

discourage weed growth too. 

• Leaks outside the house may 

not seem as bad since they are 

not as visible. But they can be 

just as wasteful as leaks inside. 


Halifax Water also sells 

products at cost that 

customers can use to conserve 

water and lower their water 

bills. Products can be 

purchased at our offices at 450 

Cowie Hill Road, Halifax. 

Do you have lead 

services in your house? 

The primary source of lead in residential 

drinking water is from lead in 

plumbing systems. Up until the 1950s 

the service pipes leading from the 

watermain in the street to the home 

were commonly made of lead. 

If you think you might be at risk of 

lead in your drinking water at home, 

here’s what you can do: 

• Call our water quality section at 

490-4835 or email lead@halifax 

water.ca. We can let you know 

if you have a lead service to your 

home. 

• If your house has a lead service, 

you can request to have your water 

tested free of charge. A technician 

will come to your home to explain 

how to take the sample, pick up 

the sample and discuss the results 

with you when they are returned. 

• Request information on our lead 

service replacement program. 

We will replace the public portion 

of a lead service pipe as long as 

the customer agrees to replace 

the private portion. Research has 

found that partially replacing 

lead service lines can lead to 

greater amounts of particulate 

lead at the tap, and therefore full 

line replacement is recommended. 

Pollution Prevention - 

Only Rain in the Storm 

Drain 

Protecting our lakes, streams, harbour 

and other waterways begins with 

you. Be sure to not flush any hazardous 

materials down your sinks or toilets. 

Proper disposal of these materials 

will help protect our environment. 

Remember that storm drains lead to 

waterways and are not to be used for 

disposal of any materials. Only rain in 

the Storm Drain...and Think before 

you pour it down the Sink. 

For proper disposal methods, or to 

report illegal dumping, contamination 

or spills, visit http://www.halifax.ca/ 

hrwc/pollutionpreventionindex.html 

70

Working for HRM 

Real life. Real jobs. Right here. 

realjobs.halifax.ca 

Have you ever thought about how 

recreation programs are developed 

for kids? Who fixes sidewalks? Do 

you want to be a project manager 

of a major public building? 

There is a whole workplace waiting 

for your ideas and enthusiasm in municipal 

government. Take a look... 

realjobs.halifax.ca 

After five years with HRM, one 

employee had this to say: “It’s diverse, 

engaging, challenging, opportunity 

filled...” 

Shelley, Building Inspector 

See the full interview at 

www.youtube.com/HRMNovaScotia 

71

A Winter Celebration on Big Ice 

at the Oval 

December 2011 - March 2012 

FREE Public Skating on the Halifax North Common 

• Daily Public Skating 

• Learn to Skate Programs 

• Speed Skating 

• Fitness Skating 

Special Events including: 

• Family New Year’s Eve 

• Holiday Skating Events 

• Skate the Common Marathon 

• DJ Nights and Live Music 

skatehrm.ca 

72

Cool Tidbit - Halifax Regional Municipality

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